The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], May 24, 1914, SPORTING SECTION, Page 17, Image 17

About The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950

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COMMON POULTRY PESTS AND THEIR CONTROL
I
Lice and Mites Cause Untold
Loss on Poultry
Plants
(Copyright. 1914, by Matos-Menz. Adv. Co..
Inc).
Though often unnoticed by unobservant
poultrymen, the various kinds of poultry
lice and mites Infesting our domestic
fowls are the source of great loss to the
poultry industry. Fortunately, they may
be easily controlled by the adoption of
very simple precautions. These pests and
the best methods of eradicating them are
described below by Professor Stoneburn.
By PROF. F. H. STOXEBIRN
Menopon pallidum, Lipeurus variables.
Gonidoes dissimilis, Dermanyssus galli
nae, Knemidoeoptes mutans! These are
surely awe inspiring names for the tiny
creatures which poultrymen commonly
call "the pesky lice and mites." But these
pests do enough damage to justify giving
them the most impressive titles.
Fortunately, it is not necessary for the
working poultryman to memorize the
scientific names of. or learn to identify
the various species. But he should have
a keen realization of the fact that these
tiny parasites may have a decidedly in
judious effect upon his fowls, and he
should learn just how to keep them In
check. Further, he should make persis
tent practical use of this knowledge.
Otherwise, he will surely fall to secure the
satisfactory returns from his flock that
might otherwise be gained.
Lice and mites will be found in various'
numbers on most poultry plants. Where
few are present they probably do little
harm; but it is always well to fight them
regularly, in order to prevent them from
multiplying to such an extent as to be
come dangerous. The best plan Is to
act as though they were actually doing
damage and make the work of extermi
nation a regular part of the schedule oi
required duties.
Sparrows Spread Lice
Sometimes one hears tlie remark that no
lice are are to be found on a certain plant,
since the chicks were all hatched in in
cubators, reared in brooders and placed
in new, clean buildings. Unfortunately
they may be carried by that common visi
tor to chicken yards, the English sparrow.
And when a few individuals get settled In
new quarters they promptly rear large
families, and the plague spreads rapidly.
When examining hens for the presence
of body lice special attention should be
given to fluffy feathers, particularly near
the vent. The adult lie** will be readily
observed if present. A!so the clusters of
eggs upon the feathers. These latter
hatch within a few days after being de
posited, the young lice being small in size,
pale in color,. active and troublesome.
The common body lice of poultry do not
have piercing mouths, but are able to bite.
They seem to subsist upon certain por
tions of the feathers and the skin of their
host. Although they are not blood suck
ers. they cause much annoyance and dis
comfort. biting the skin and inducing
violent itching. Healthy, active birds are
able to stand their presence, but there is
no doubt that in many cases they actually
hasten the death of individuals which be
come diseased.
They are particularly troublesome to
the chicks, preventing them from resting
quitely, and in many cases torturing them
until death must be a relief.
These lice are frequently observed on
nesting material, and they probably pass
from bird to bird by this route. They
seem to thrive in damp, dark, filthy,
poorly ventilated places, and poultry
buildings in which these conditions exist
are almost certain to be infested.
Treatment to be effective should Include
both the birds and their living quarters.
; The houses should be thoroughly cleaned,
disinfected and kept in sanitary codition.
Remove all nesting material and litter.
Scrape the roosts and droppings boards.
Then spray or paint all woodwork with
which the birds come in contact.
Homemade Lice Paints
There tire several liquid lice killers or
lice paints which may be purchased for
this purpose. Or satisfactory mixtures
may he compounded at home. Three
parts of kerosene oil and one part eruae
carbolic acid is a staple combination.
Some poultrymen report txcellent success
from the use of kerosene oil in which
naphthalene flakes or moth balls have
been dissolved. Kerosene emulsion is
somewhat harder to prepare than either
of the above, but it is pleasant to use and
is most effective. This is made by dis
solving a half a pound of hard soap,
shaved fine, in a gallon of soft water.
This is best accomplished by boiling. Re
move from the fire and vigorously stir
in two gallons of kerosene oil. A thick,
creamy emulsion will result, and this is
the stock mixture. Dilute with soft water,
30 parts to one part of the stock mixture,
and the material is ready for use.
The spraying or painting should be done
at intervals of a few days until the pests
are w*ell submerged. After that an ap
plication every few weeks will do nicely.
Provide dust baths for the birds. If
earth floors are used in the houses, the
fowls will make wallowing places for
themselves. During the dry months they
will do the same in the yards, provided
the soil is light and dry. Otherwise, lib
eral-sized boxes of finely sifted soil
should be supplied. Through wallowing
in this fine material they will brush off
or smother many of their unwelcome
visitors.
In addition, the attendant should dust
his stock, treating each bird individually
and thoroughly with some good, powerful
lice killer. There are many reliable pre
cautions of this kind on the market.
A dependable lice killer may be made
at small cost by following these direc
tions:
Effective Insect Powders
Mix three parts of gasoline and one part
crude carbolic acid of 90-95 per cent
strength. Or three parts of gasoline and
one part cresol.
Add to this mixture, stirring vigorously
meanwhile, plaster of paris, to absorb all
the moisture. This usually requires about
lour quarts of the plaster of paris to one
quart of the liquid. The two should be
thoroughly incorporated, thus making a
dry powder, pinkish brown in color. It
should be kept in tightly closed boxes or
cans.
( Common Persian insect powder is also
very effective. It may be purchased at
most drug stores, but in many localities
is rather expensive.
When going over«a flock of hens, giving
individual treatment, it is best to work at
night by lantern light. The birds may
then be lilted from the roost, dusted and
returned to their places without the ex
citemenet which accompanies catching)
them during the hours of daylight.
A large tray or shallow* box should be
provided to catch any powder which sifts
off the birds during the dusting process.
Hold the patient by the legs, head down
ward. above the tray. 8prinkle a liberal
amount of the powder into the fluff
along the back and beneath the wings.
Then with the fingers work this into the
base of the feathers.
As an additional precaution, rub a small
amount of blue ointment on the fluffy
feathers about the vent.
This treatment should be repeated sev
eral times at short intervals In order to
destroy the young lice which hatch from
the eggs already deposited. Alter the
birds are freed from the lice an occasion
al treatment will keep the latter in check.
Young chicks may be dusted and greased
with lard. Rub the latter Into the down
on head, neck, under wings and the rear
of the abdomen.
Troublesome as these body lice are, they
actually cause less loss than the common
red mites. The latter are blood suckers,
piercing the skin of their victims and
drawing out the bl^od. When present In
large numbers they sill many birds, and
greatly weaken those which survive the |
repeated attacks.
These spiderlike parasites are very small
in size, gray in color, excepting when
they contain blood. Then they are red.
They do not remain on the bodies of their
hosts, but live in the filth, cracks and
crevices, about the roosting quarters or
nests. Frequently they become establish
ed in brooders and there thrive amazingly.
From their hiding places they make raids
upon the hens and chicks which may
rest near them.
Mites are most active during warm
weather. Apparently they lie dormant
during the cold season, as they seem to
be able to do without food for months at
a time.
Infested buildings must be given vig
orous and thorough treatment. First,
clean everything with great care. Re
move nesting material, litter, dirt of all
kinds. Then use the lice paint liberally.
Work the liquid into every crack and
crevice. Wet every square inch of the
woodwork about the roosts. Saturate the
nest boxes. Repeat the process several
times until mites and eggs are all de
stroyed.
As a final precaution, a heavy coat of
whitewash may be applied. Make this un
usually thick, and it will seal up all
minor openings, burying such mites as
may be hiding therein. The addition of
crude carbolic acid will add to the effect
iveness of the wash.
There are two other kinds of mites
which the poultrymen are frequently
obliged to fight, but they are of little im
portance compared with the last men
tioned. These are the scaly-leg mite and
the depluming mite.
Scaly leg is a contagious disease, which
frequently appears in flocks of poultry,
usually being most noticeable on old
birds. The shanks and toes become
roughened, scaly or crusty. These
whitish lumps become larger and larger
as the trouble progresses, frequently af
fecting the whole foot and shank.
At first the trouble does not seem to
cause the birds any annoyance, but pres
ently the victims appear lame, and it is
said that in severe cases the toes some
times drop off.
The Scaly-Leg Mite
The exciting cause Is tiny mites, which
burrow between the scales and into the
skin, where they live and breed. The
crusty deposits are formed as a result of
their activities, and considerable irrita
tion is set up.
Diagnosis of the trouble is simple. The
skin on shanks and feet of healthy fowls
is normally smooth and pliable. Any
roughening, especially when accompanied
by the crusty deposits, indicates the
presence of the mites.
Treatment must be individual. Some
poultrymen dip the legs and feet of the
patients into pure kerosene oil. This is
effective, but it is unnecessarily harsh.
If any of the oil gets up on to the feath
ered portion of the legs the skin will lie
burned.
The difficulty may be overcome by the
addition of melted lard to the kerosene.
Equal parts of lard and oil Is the usual
mixture.
These fluid remedies may be quickly
applied by placing them in a deep vessel
of some kind and immersing therein the
legs and feet of the birds.
if an ointment is preferred to liquids,
they may be easily compounded. Equal
parts of vaseline and zinc ointment make
a good mixture. Oil of caraway, one
part, and white vaseline, five parts, ar«
also recommended. These ointments
should be carefully rubbed into leg and
foot every few days until a cure is ef
fected. This treatment is to be preferred
for use on show' birds, where It is essen
tial that the parts be kept smooth and
free from scars.
Causes Loss of Feathers
The dppluming mite Is even smaller
than the sealy-leg mite. It lives at the
base of the smaller feathers, causing
these to break off at the surface of the
skin. This trouble Is sometimes called
scabies.
The trouble is most common In warm
weather. Bare patches will appear on
various parts of the body, as the rump,
neck, breast and back.
Frequently the affected birds will be
observed to pull out the feathers from
their own bodies and those of their com
panions. While the trouble does not cause
the death of the victims, it certainly must
cause annoyance nnd reduce their ef
ficiency.
Again individual treatment is Indicated.
(Rub the Infested areas with any of tha
ointments above recommended: or go
further, and dip the birds, head and heels.
In a solution of any good disinfectant.
The commercial coal-tar preparations arc
best for this purpose.
Of course, this dipping should be done
on warm days. In order that the birds
may dry thoroughly and quickly, thus
avoiding the danger of colds.
At this season of the year It is well to
call especial attention to the danger of j
permitting little chicks to eat roaebugs.
This common bug causes much mortal
ity each season, as experienced poultry
men are well aware.
It was formerly thought that their
horny claws punctured crops and intes
tines, and thus caused death, hut Pro
fessor Lanison seems to have demon
strated that the bugs secrete a poison
which does the work of killing.
Prevention is demanded. Keep the1
chicks away from roaebugs.
' P1 n
r- 1 1 —
Or More
on One Hen
VMPMH* MBK
USoM hi Birmingham by Gorman-OambiU Seed
Co.; alio by Heed or Heed lieeleri at moat good
tonne- Hometimei the drogglat la Ida agent
.
' I
JIOWIN MKG^PE£_
©^*htiihiw *Ht»Ma ^
This peculiar duck originally came from India, and has been bred in England for three quarters of a century. The name
is derived from its native home and its odd gait. The birds are small in size, averaging about four pounds in weight, lean
in appearance and upright in carriage. Their color is fawn and white, distributed us shown in the drawing. Indian Runner
Ducks are wonderful layers of white-shelled eggs of good size and fine quality. They are being extensively used by pro
ducers of market table eggs.
DUCKS WITH GREAT LAYING RECORDS
By EDWIN MEIiAIKiKI’,
The first sight of the Indian Runner
Duck invariably excites amusement. The
odd shape, coupled with the stilty and
peculiar carriage, gives this duck a most
extraordinary and grotesque appearance.
On better acquaintance amusement gives
place to respect, when the remarkable
qualities of this duck are fully appre
ciated. It is not a thing cf beauty, but it
is most distinctly a business bird.
The original stock was brought from
India to England prior to the middle ot
the last century. Other importations have
been made, even as late as 1906.
The name "runner ducks’ evidently
comes from the peculiar gait of these
birds, which is unlike that of other ducks.
They do not waddle along, but run or
trot wherever they go.
Two varieties of Indian Runner Ducks
are bred in America—fawn and white and
the pure white. The latter is a sprout
from the first named variety, and is less
extensively bred than the other kind.
In body conformation these ducks are
tall and slender, much like a soda bottle
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••I
on legs. This upright carriage is a most
distinctive feature.
Another unmistakable characteristic is
the long, lean and very flat head and
bill. The line from the crown of the head
to the tip of the bill should be straight,
or very nearly so. The eye is placed very
high in the head, giving the appearance ot
being on top of the skull.
In the fawn and white variety, which is
shown in the illustration, the color should
be as follows: Bill, yellow and greenish
yellow, with black beak; shanks and toes,
orange red, and eyes dark brown.
The head is fawn and white, darker in.
the male than in other parts of the body
A white line divides the cap from the
cheek patches, and also the base of the
bill from the head markings.
The neck is white to a point about tw<
inches above the base, fawn below. Thi
fawn color continues down the breast t<
a point midway between the point of tin
breastbone and the legs, and then give?
way to white.
Shoulders and tops of wings are fawn
the wing primaries and secondaries whit<
The back is fawn throughout. Tall feati
ers of ducks light fawn; of drakes, bronze
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••a
green, it is essential that the mar Kings
be distinct and clean-cut.
Drakes weigh 4*£ pounds; ducks, 4
pounds. Of course, this makes too small
a bird to be of use as a producer of regu
lar market stock. The flesh, though lim
ited In quantity, is high in quality, ana
for those who desire small table birds it
proves satisfactory.
But the Indian Runner’s claim to utility
value libs In Its ability as a producer of
eggs. It is said that certain Individuals
have made records approaching 300 eggs
n the year and that certain strains aver
ige 12 to 15 dozen per year. These figures
have not been officially authenticated,
but it is a fact that these birds are truly
.vonderful layers. The eggs have white
shells, are large as compared with hen’s
•ggs and find ready sale, tn some markets
l hey are sold as selected hens' eggs. In
thers they are classed as Runner Duck
«*gs. and bring a premium above regular
tuotations on ordinary “hen fruit."
The birds are hardy and easy to man
ge. Youngsters make rapid growth, and
nme to laying maturity early. Tn view
f their undeniable value. It is safe to
redict that Indian Runner Ducks will be
red extensively In the future.
* MUSICAL NOTES
The Minneapolis Symphony orchestra
Is planning a short southern tour for
next February. Manager Wendell
Hefghton has written to friends here
that he hopes to have a booking In
Birmingham. He says that the full or
chestra, numbering now about 80 men,
will appear In the south for tne first
time. The Minneapolis Symphony la one
of the finest orchestras In the United
States. It was heard In a number of
festival concerts at the Jefferson thea
tre two years ago.
Th,e St. Louis Symphony orchestra,
which gave such great delight when It
had Its first appearance In Birming
ham on May 7 as a feature of the mu
sic festival, will probably give two or
three concerts In this city.during the
winter season. Symphony music" is
much more generally appreciated now
than it was 10 or 15 years ago, and a
first class orchestra can count on a
good audience in every city of approx
imately Birmingham’s size.
Excellent reports were made by the
retiring officers of the Arlon club at
' a meeting held recently and the fol
lowing resolutions wars passed unan
! imously:
I "Whereas, the Arlon club has Just
j completed the most successful season
, In its history: and
“Whereas, the success of the Arlon
: club Is largely due to the splendid
directorship of Mr. Rlenzl Thomas;
now, therefore,
"Be It resolved, That the Arlon club
extend to Mr. Thomas Its sincere
thanks for his efforts and pledge him
its hearty support In future work
along: musical lines; and,
"Be it further resolved. That thesj
resolutions bo spread upon the records
of the secretary and copies thereof
be sent to each of the Birmingham
dally papers and to Mr. Thomas.
"G. H. CRAIN.
"President.
"J. W. M'GILAh
"Secretary."
Hie Biggest City
From Tit-Bits.
One startling statement lias been dis
covered in the new “Whitaker.’'
New York (4,767.000) comes at the
head of the list of largest cities in the
world, London (4,622,000) being a good
second.
An American almanac, on the contra
ry, tells’us that t|ie population of New
York is 6,173,064 and that of London
7.262,963.
The explanation is that the English
book of reference takes in only the
London within the area of the official
return.
One of the Stayers
From the Washington Star.
•‘Ars you going away for the summer?*’
"I’d like to," replied the gentleman from
Punklnville. "But it’s getting so that if
you leave Washington during the sum
mer, your constituents get an idea that
you are of no official importance."
_ _ __ POULTRY _
FOR SALE?—Thirty fine game hens, two
cocks, hens laying 70 per cent; large,
heavy birds, «. each. Phona Main 2783.
OFFICE OF PUBLIC !
TRUSTEE IS WIDELY |.
Selected to Manage Estates
Valued At Over Half
Billion Dollars
London. May 9. Remarkable testimony
| to the popularity of the recently estab
i lished office of public trustee Is given in
I the sixth annual report of C. J. Stewart,
showing that by express stipulation in
their wills have selected his office to ad
misister estates whose value is over half
a billion dollars CCd ,878.000. to be exact.
Some *1000 trusts, amounting to more
than $250,(H'0.000 have bees, aiul are being
administered.
This means that the wrecking of private
fortunes by dishonest trustees is virtually
a tiling of the past tn England. Ten
years ago it was a frequent thing for a
trusted family lawyer to make off with
the money that had been left to his
clients, often widows and orphans. Today
the administration of private estates Is
almost wholly In the hands of the public
trustee, behind whom the government
stands responsible for the funds entrust
ed to his care.
The success of this office, established
only six years ago. has exceeded the
expectations even of its promoters. It
started business with four assistants and
now requires a staff of too The office
can act as trustee of bequests, or execute
the wills in their entirety; as adminis
trator of marriage settlements, general
custodian of funds, and guardians of
children.
Parent for 900 Children
Mr. StewTart now acts as parent of 900
children, so far ns the rare and disburse
ments of their money is concerned.
The largest estate which the office Is
called upon to handle was $5,000,000 and
the smallest $75. The average value of
the estates dealt with, however, Is about
$40,000, showing that well-to-do persons
are its patrons more generally than the
very wealthy or very poor.
People are beginning to realise that
when trust funds are placed In private
lu^nds there is always risk of loss through
fraud, incompetence or neglect. With n
government office like that of public
trustee the possibility of loss through
speculations is done away with. The
trustee can invest In approved securities.
And even at the worst, If investments
turn out badly, there Is no risk of the
loss of the principal because the govern
ment is responsible for that.
Prince Takes Up Polo
The Prince of Wales threatens to rival
the King of Spain as a participant in out
door sports. He has just taken up polo,
and during the recent holidays at Wind
sor with his brother Prince Albert, he
was up bright and early each morning
for an hour’s practice at the game. The
heir to the throne, while he has never had
a serious illness and in fact generally
enjoys good health, is not robust, which
probably accounts for the fact that he
spends as much time as possible In the
open air.
Like all the members of the royal
family the Prince Is perfectly at home on
horseback; he is a good shot, an ac
complishment which he gets from his
father, who can hold his own among the
best with a shot gun; and at Oxford the
Prince took up motoring, football and
cross country running. During his visit
to Nor*« a\ h»» tried his hand *at skating.
The Knglish press makes the most of
*"*" ' ■ " '- — —— ■— .. IM «
Ids accomplishments in this field, the
court press assent keeping the papers well
supplier I with pictures and news of the
PMnce’s movements. It is an Knglish
fetish that participation in sports must
lead to popularity.
The Last Days of HEART SONGS 11
The Days That Are No More! I
■
Announced by the |
Birmingham Age-Herald I
A Mighty Chorus!
There is not a night in the
whole year that thousands of
families all over the country
are not singing from that ,
world-famous song hook
“Heart Songs.” Could this
myriad-throated chorus be
heard at one time in one
place, it would create a soul
thrilling volume of melody
never before equalled since
the world began. i
That this marvelous book will have a
beneficial influence on the home life
of the Nation is not to be doubted.
The fostering of a home-keeping
habit, the delightful family evenings
that will go down the years as the
dearest of memories, the growing
refinement incident to music—all
these will make for the betterment
of the entire people.
3Mlllli liH III1 ■
Greatly Reduced Size. Full Size, 7x9 1-2 inehee
)
Thousands Are Singing Its Praises and Its Songs
Just a FEW DAYS Left to Get It ALMOST FREE!
FAREWELL COUPON IN THIS PAPER GIVES TERMS I
** We Treat Your Clothes W’hite"
“Palm Beaches”
Are trivon, lien* at the Kmpire. the kind of treat
ment that pleases their wearers and makes them
look and wear well.
It pays to have us rare for your “I’alm
Beaches. ’ ’
Empire Laundry
“We Treat Your Clothes White"
ij Consult Union Painless ']
l Dentists About Your Teeth |
‘ You will be sure, of expert art- FiHingg . . .$1.00 Up
H vice. We will toll you Just what Is r««i ^
H , , .. . # Silver Fillings_50c up
needed—and quote you the lowest # r
prices in town for such work. White Crowns .$3.00 p
We have marto thousands happy. rjnij firowna <5d
We will send you away, with a
smile Oil your face that will dts- Bridg'e Work $3 ft tOOth Up
close either your own teeth beau- Set Of Teeth $4
lifted attain or a new set that can- rp__+i, + (M
not be detected from those that Teeth IwithOUt Pl&teS, $1
strew In your mouth. Per Tooth M
EASY TERMS
Our Patent Suction
Teeth
Will Not Slip or Drop
$5
A SET
UNION PAINLESS DENTISTS
Corner Second Avenue and 20th Street—Over Norton’s Drug Store
Phonr it'idli ■
i Open Dully S 11. in. to S p. n». Nmiilny Hour* \rrnnii«*«l Only lljr
I V iMMitntnieiit ,
Reference—Our Work and First National Bank