512 DISEASES, PARASITES, AND ENEMIES 



The tapeworm (Fig. 216) represents the second type of intestinal 

 parasites. If present in any number, they will be very detrimental 

 to the flock, making the birds emaciated and weak and causing 

 the feathers to lose their lustre. The treatment outlined for round- 

 worms will also be beneficial with tapeworms. Frequent feeding 



FIG. 216. The tapeworm. When tapeworms are present in any numbers they greatly 

 impair the efficiency of the birds. 



of onions or garlic is said to be a preventive, and powdered pome- 

 granate-root bark, at the rate of one teaspoonful to fifty birds, 

 will help to expel them. 



ENEMIES OF POULTRY. 



There are predatory animals which, if given a chance or if 

 they have once acquired the habit, will do great damage by killing 

 poultry. Losses from this source may amount to a very high figure. 

 The rat probably ranks first as an enemy, killing a great number of 

 young and growing chicks each year. Concrete floors and runs pro- 

 tected by fine-mesh wire are the best means of keeping them away. 



Weasels and skunks also delight in killing birds and robbing 

 nests wherever they find them, the weasel preying on growing 

 chicks on the range during the day. Traps and the shotgun are 

 here the best preventives. Steel traps placed in common runways 

 or in special openings under fences will result in their capture. 



Crows and some varieties of hawks carry off both young and 

 adult birds. The crow is particularly adept in stealing young 

 chicks. He usually alights on some tall pole or post in the vicinity 

 of the chicken yard before swooping down for his prey. One of 

 the best and surest ways of catching him is to place small steel 



