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 
Fia. 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 robhing 
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 commen 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 
