INSECTS AND OTHER TROUBLES 139 



which causes great mortality among young chicks, 

 although it is also found and is propagated on mature 

 birds. Finally, there is the red mite, which preys 

 on the poultry at night and seeks shelter during the 

 day in crevices and corners and under the roosting 

 perch. Turn over these perches in many hen houses, 

 and the under side will be found fairly red with 

 tiny mites. Like the head louse, they suck the blood 

 of the hens and sap their vitality as well as causing 

 extreme discomfort. 



The fecundity of hen lice is amazing. Start with 

 one female under favorable conditions and in two 

 months her progeny will number 125,000. Is it any 

 wonder that constant activity on the part of the at- 

 tendant is necessary? 



And yet the amateur need not be discouraged. 

 It is not impossible to keep the pests in subjection. 

 Filth is most favorable to the increase of vermin, 

 and so the house must be kept reasonably clean. 

 Plenty of opportunity to dust themselves will be 

 all the hens ask, as a rule; in order to keep them- 

 selves fairly free of lice on their bodies in the day 

 time. The fowls are completely at the mercy of 

 the red mites, however, and the poultry keeper must 

 take a hand in their extermination by making fre- 



