PRAIRIE FARMER'S POULTRY BOOK 



early the following morning and destroyed to avoid danger of 

 poisoning domestic animals. 



Traps are helpful but large numbers should be used. Woven 

 wire traps are sometimes successful. A correspondent from 

 southern Illinois reports that he captured 300 rats during a 

 single summer by this method. The trap was baited and left 

 open until the rats became accustomed to conditions. Then 

 it was closed and a vessel of milk placed inside. Rats are fond 

 of milk and in a dry season can be easily enticed into the trap. 

 A board or sack placed over the trap helps matters. 



A well trained ferret will drive out the rats from a farm. 

 A good rat dog will be a valuable help. A campaign of rat 

 extermination on the farm will mean the saving of many dol- 

 lars. Buildings should be made rat-proof. Remove the harbors 

 and the rats will disappear. 



Hawks destroy large numbers of chickens and turkeys an- 

 nually. The Goshawk, Prairie Falcon, Marsh Hawk, Sharp- 

 shinned Hawk and the Sparrow Hawk are some of the more 

 common varieties. The shot gun seems to be the best remedy. 



Crows destroy eggs and young chickens and turkeys. They 

 are difficult to capture, but if one can be shot and hung up in 

 a prominent place near the poultry buildings there will prob- 

 ably be no further depredations from this source. 



English Sparrows are pests without one redeeming quality. 

 They consume and contaminate poultry feed. They are the 

 carriers of disease. They destroy the eggs and young of native 

 birds. On account of their rapid multiplication they are becom- 

 ing a menace to the farm. Sparrow traps are advised for their 

 destruction. 



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