178 



PRACTICAL POULTRY PRODUCTION 



Figure 177. — A large common 

 hen louse. Greatly enlarged. 



much more lasting. The time to 

 use either of these methods is early 

 in the spring before the mites have 

 a chance to increase in number and 

 annoy the fowls. Should mites ap- 

 pear later in the summer, the spray- 

 ing should be repeated. 



LICE 

 The common chicken louse is 

 larger than a mite and is pale yellow 

 in color. It differs from the mite 

 also in that it spends most of its time 

 on the body of the fowl, although sometimes it is found in 

 the nests. The louse lays its eggs at the base of the fluffy 

 feathers on the fowl, especially around the vent. From 6 to 

 10 days are required for 

 these eggs to hatch. 



Lice do not suck the 

 blood from the fowls as 

 do the mites, but annoy 

 the birds by feeding on 

 scales and secretions of 

 the skin, and parts of 

 the feathers. 



Remedy. Owing to 

 the fact that hce spend 

 the greater part of their 

 time on the fowls the 

 most effective treatment 

 is that which is applied 

 directly to the birds. 



The cleanliness of the Figure 178.— Dusting fowls by hand is espec- 

 >ipn Viniitsp i<5 pniiallv fi<? lally recommended for sitting hens and fowls 



nen nOUSe is equaiiy as th^t are very much infested with lice. 



