DISEASES OF POULTRY. 21 



The longer fowls are kept upon the same premises, 

 the more these parasites will increase, and the greater 

 damage and menace the}' will he to the flock. System- 

 atic and efficient measures must, therefore, be instituted 

 and regularl}' emploj-ed in order to keep such pests 

 in check, and, if possible, entirely eradicate them. 

 Some species of parasites are quite easily' controlled, 

 but others will tax the ingenuity and skill of the poul- 

 trj-man to the utmost. 



The methods of disinfection applicable to the poul- 

 trj^ plant are numerous, and it is important to under- 

 stand those which are most available and which can be 

 used with least danger to persons and fowls. For the 

 inside of the houses, including the roosts and nest 

 boxes, hot lime wash is one of the best applications 

 and should be used at least twice a j-ear. If thoroughlj^ 

 applied, it will destroy both animal parasites and mi- 

 crobes. The disinfecting power of lime wash ma}' l)e 

 increased b}' the addition of one -fourth pound carbolic 

 acid to each gallon. When a gaseous disinfectant is 

 needed to reach the ceilings of houses and the hang- 

 ings of brooders, formalin (formaldeh^'de) will be 

 found by far the most efficient. It may be spraj'ed 

 over the inside of the hou.se or brooder in a three 

 to five -per -cent solution, and if the doors and win- 

 dows are then tightly closed, so that the vapors 

 will be confined, every part of the interior of the struct- 

 ure will be disinfected. Formalin may now be 

 purchased in a forty -per -cent solution and may be 

 diluted with water to the desired strength. One pound 

 of the .solution added to a gallon of water makes a 

 mixture of about the proper strength. 



For the destruction of the external animal parasites 

 many apply kerosene oil and crude petroleum to the 



