6 
THE COLORADO EXPERIMENT STATION 
The smaller variety of this genus, Menopon pallidum, also has been 
studied, but is far less common in this state. This louse is found on young 
and old chickens. 
Fig. 2. 
Figure 2.— Menopon biseriatum (from a hen), greatly enlarged; a, head, which 
is provided with mouth parts; b, thorax provided with three pairs of legs; c, 
abdomen. 
. . - ‘ 
' THE TURKEY LOUSE—Goniodes stylifer. This louse is found on 
turkeys and is thicker than the one just described. Like it, the mouth parts 
are arranged for mastication. It is illustrated in Fig. 3. 
Lipeurus infuscatus. This is another louse that may infest chickens. 
A study of Fig. 5 shows it’s mouth parts and legs similar to the other lice. 
Its general shape is different. It is not so common as the large hen louse. 
THE PIGEON LOUSE—Lipeurus bacillus. This is a long, slender, light 
colored louse with mouth parts arranged for biting, and its legs are pro¬ 
vided with hooklets which aid it in holding to the feathers. It is illustrated 
in Fig. 7. 
Gonioeotes hologaster.—This is still another louse that sometimes in¬ 
fests chickens. In many respects it resembles the louse of the turkey, but it 
is a distinct species. It is illustrated in Fig. 6. Like the others, its mouth 
parts are arranged for biting. 
LIFE HISTORY.—The females are slightly larger than the males. The 
females lay oval, white, or whitish-yellow eggs (nits) and securely cement 
them to the barbs of the feathers. This is illustrated in Fig. 4. The lice 
hatch in from ten days to two weeks in warm weather, by breaking open the 
ends of the eggs. The young have much the same shape as the adults, but are 
usually lighter in color. The males are usually less numerous than the. 
females. 
CONDITIONS PRODUCED.—Chicks hatched in the incubator are free 
from lice and stay free until placed with lousy hens or chicks, or in lousy 
quarters.. Lice produce much irritation. The effect of large numbers upon 
chickens is quite marked. The hens scratch and pick at the feathers, show 
signs of being drowsy, may refuse to eat, and in growing birds, body de¬ 
velopment is interfered with. Young chicks often sit around, moping, with 
wings hanging down, and finally in a week or two may die. For this reason, 
brooder chicks thrive better, grow faster, and are free from many ailments 
than chicks hatched by the hen. It has been said that a lousy bird will have 
more of a tendency to dust than one not lousy. 
The effect upon the older birds is not so severe as upon younger ones, 
but it is shown in condition of flesh and low production of eggs. The irrita¬ 
tion is sometimes so severe that hens desert their nests. Their combs may 
become dark. 
Birds unable to rest day or night become emaciated and die. 
