CHAPTER XXI 

 MITES, LICE, SCALY LEGS, AND FLEAS OF POULTRY * 



Note to Teacher : Have students study mounted specimens of para- 

 sites. 



299. What the Red Mite Looks Like. Red mites vary in size 

 from one-fourth of a pin head to a pin head. They vary in 

 color from almost white to bluish-red and red. 



300. Where Mites Are Found. Mites are found on the under 

 side of the perch poles and in the cracks where the perch poles 

 rest upon the support. 



301. When Mites Attack the Fowls. The mites .attack the 

 fowls at night and leave them before morning, locating them- 

 selves on the under side of the perch poles. 



302. Effect Upon the Birds. Mites suck the blood and where 

 they are numerous they will kill young birds as well as old ones. 

 They are often found in the brooding coop and in i^iests of sit- 

 ting hens. In birds that are badly infested, the comb becomes 

 pale and the bird weakens and finally dies. 



303. How Mites Multiply. Mites multiply by laying their 

 eggs in the cracks of the perch poles, on droppings boards, and 

 even in nests. They multiply very rapidly in hot weather. 



304. How to Tell When Birds Are Infested. Examine the 

 under part of the perch poles, and if mites are present they will 

 be observed in small clusters. There will be noticed white fuzzy 

 material in the cracks. This material is the shed skins or molts 

 of the young mites. 



305. What to Do to Rid the Birds of Mites. Thoroughly 

 clean the droppings boards, floor, and nests and sweep down 



* For reference, see Poultry Diseases, published by The American Jour- 

 nal of Veterinary Medicine. Chicago, 111; 



