184 PRACTICAL POULTRY PRODUCTION 



sulphur ointment or a mixture of 1 part of kerosene to 3 

 parts of melted lard to portions of the skin of the fowl 

 where the chiggers have entered. When pus has formed 

 in the sore, remove the scab and wash it with a 4% solu- 

 tion of carbohc acid and water. 



QUESTIONS 



1. Why should every measure be taken to keep the fowls and 

 chicks free from insect pests? 



2. Describe the appearance of chicken miteSj both before and 

 after they have fed from the body of the fowl. What are the habits 

 of the chicken mite? 



3. Describe two effective remedies to eradicate chicken mites. 



4. How does the common chicken louse differ from the chicken 

 mite, both in appearance and habits? 



5. Describe a good homemade louse powder. How should this 

 be applied? 



6. Describe a method of treating individual birds with sodium 

 fluoride. With blue ointment. 



7. Describe an effective treatment for head lice on chickens. 



8. Describe the habits and treatment of stick-tight fleas. 



9. What measures should be taken to exterminate blue bugs from 

 the poultry houses and buildings? 



10. Where are chiggers, or red bugs, found, and how can they 

 be prevented? 



SUGGESTIONS 



1. As discussed in the chapter on incubation, one of the most 

 effective ways to prevent the loss of chickens as the result of Uce and 

 mites is by hatchmg early in the spring, so that the chickens will grow 

 to be of good size before the warm weather, when the lice and mites 

 are so troublesome. 



2. As a matter of good management, endeavor to put into prac- 

 tice the suggestions as contained in this chapter, in order to extermi- 

 nate such insect pests as may be troubhng your flock. 



3. Should you be a member of a poultry club or an association, 

 endeavor to interest the members as to the importance of eliminating 

 lice and mites from the flock. Such an effort on your part may result 

 in the saving of hundreds of birds. 



4. Impress upon yom- acquaintances and members of your poul- 

 try club the reason and advantages of spraying for lice and mites in 

 the early spring before these insects have a chance to increase in number. 



5. Should you find any of the insect pests mentioned herein troub- 

 ling your flock, try each of the remedies mentioned under each insect 

 pest, and see which is the most satisfactory. Do you not think it 

 would be a good idea to acquaint your friends and club members with 

 the results of your experience in this connection? 



REFERENCES 

 Mites and Lice on Poultry, U. S. Department of Agi-iculture Farmers' 

 Bulletin 801, by F. C. Bishop and H. P. Wood. 



