426 



PAKASITES OF POULTRY. 



[March 1896. 



-are two kinds of feather-eating, viz., " self -feather-eating " and 

 the eating of other birds' feathers. The former is entirely due to 

 the mites living upon and irritating the roots of the quills, and 

 so far as is known the latter is caused by the same acarus. The 

 form on the fowl makes its appearance about April, and is most 

 prevalent in spring and summer. The mites can be easily found 

 iimongst the white powdery matter at the base of quill. The 

 vBiinute young are transmitted during copulation. The fowls 

 pluck out the feathers to destroy the irritation caused by the 

 mites at their base. 



Prevention and Remedies. — As the disease is contagious, 

 isolation of the affected bird is the first step, especially if it be a 

 €Ock. The mites readily yield to treatment with^oil of cloves 

 rrubbed into the infected area. One part of creosote to 30 

 of lard or vaseline is still more successful. 



Scaly Leg or Leg Rot. — This well-known disease is again 

 due to a mite (Sarcoptes mutans). This complaint is a serious 

 matter and very prevalent. The scales of the leg and feet 

 become raised and separated, and a chalk-like excretion 

 accumulates between and over them. Rough lumpy crusts are 

 formed, and under these and the scales the mites live and breed. 

 The disease is contagious. 



Prevention and Remedies. — Isolation of diseased birds is most 

 essential. Removal of the crusts without causing bleeding, and 

 then the application of creosote (one part) and lard (20 parts), 

 will be found sufficient. Oil of turpentine has still more 

 definite results. A mixture of equal parts of flower of sulphur 

 and vaseline rubbed into the limb also cures this complaint. In 

 •every case the limb some days after treatment should be well 

 cleaned with hot water and soft soap. If exhibits of poultry 

 infested with parasites were prohibited by poultry-show com- 

 mittees, it would force attention to the subject in a way that 

 could not fail to greatly reduce parasitic infestation. 



Fred. Y. Theobald, M.A., F.E.S. 



