PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



vast numbers of bacteria that form a part of the invisible world 

 of living organisms. Many of these are pathogenic and only 

 await an opportunity to prey upon the body. Fortunately for 

 the chicken there are many "anti-bodies," or agents that prey 

 upon disease germs, so that a fowl in vigorous health is able 

 to escape infection. Such are the hydrochloric acid of the 

 gastric juice which acts as a germicide; the serum of the blood 

 which is also germicidal ; the white blood corpuscles which at- 

 tack and destroy disease germs, the liver cells and other cells 

 of the body which engage in constant warfare to protect the 

 body. This explains why healthy fowls are often able to resist 

 an epidemic of disease, while the weaker ones succumb. 



Lice. — The common poultry louse, Menopon pallidum, at- 

 tacks all parts of the fowl's body. It can be seen moving 

 rapidly among the feathers. Unlike the mite it lives by biting 

 rather than by sucking. It remains and breeds upon the fowl's 

 body, and often clusters of eggs can be seen in the region of 

 the vent. It causes loss of vigor and emaciation. Probably 

 the best treatment is the sodium fluorid powder recommended 

 by the government. A pinch of the powder, such as can be 

 seized between the thumb and forefinger, is applied to the 

 feathers next the skin on the head, neck, back, under wings and 

 at base of tail. The amount should be limited to about 10 

 small pinches, as it is irritating if used too freely. It should 

 not be used with sitting hens. One pound will treat a flock of 

 100 hens and effectually destroy all the lice. Other methods of 

 destroying lice are to dust insect powder among the feathers, 

 using an ointment, such as blue ointment, and by dipping. 



If chicks are infested with head lice a good application is 

 sweet oil, which is effective and harmless unless used in too 

 great a quantity. 



Red Mite, Dermannyssus gallinae. — The color of the 

 common mite is gray but becomes red after feeding upon the 

 blood of a fowl. They attack their victim at night. In the 

 daytime they are secreted in cracks and other hiding places 

 where they breed. Knowing their habits it is not a difficult mat- 

 ter to get rid of them. Crude petroleum or processed oil applied 

 to the roosts, nests, and in all cracks and crevices will do the 

 work. A good spray is effective, but should be repeated. 



Mites are serious pests. On account of their small size they 

 are often overlooked until great damage has been done. If 

 roosts are supported as recommended in Chapter X the pests 



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