POULTRY INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22018, 26 January 1935, Page 18

POULTRY INDUSTRY

PARASITES IN SUMMER METHODS OF CONTROL BY UTILITY Several recent inquiries suggest that tnany farmers would appreciate a little more information on simple methods of keeping in check the hordes of insect parasites which infest so many fowl (houses during hot weather. Those farmers who are in possession ■Of a spray pump will find they cannot improve on bhis for spraying their fowl houses. Ordinary non-poisouous sheep •idip of the creosote type, provided it is not too diluted, or the kerosene emulsion used for spraying fruit trees, are both effective. The spray must be used fairly strong, for poultry parasites are Snore thick-skinned than the orchard insects which are easily destroyed by Rising a well-diluted spray. Particular pare must be taken to see that the jfcpray gets into all the crevices, for there the lice are usually congregated the day. Those who keep so few fowls as not jfco warrant the trouble of getting a tepray pump will find a good substitute in applyiiig a nicotine pois6n _to the perches. Inquiries show there is some doubt as to-the best way to apply this, fend unless it is done properly it will toot be of much use. After, making several experiments I am convinced that the simplest and most effective method is to trickle it along, the perches in the smallest possible quantity. This also reduces the cost of each application, which is imSortant, for it has to be applied uniluted, and is therefore not as cheap Jis similar preparations, for orchard spraying. When to Treat the Perches It will be found that it is not very (easy to apply a small trickle, the reateo:a being that in a dry season like this the perches are covered with a light coating of dust, this preventing the liquid from running freely along the perches, as it gathers in globules, picking lip the dust. To get over this diffidulty it is only necessary to wipe the perches with a damp cloth. The fluid will then be found to spread evenly from a very small trickle, the size of which can be regulated by punching a nail hole in the bottom of a small tin.

This nicotine is very volatile, and kills the parasites by evaporating and passing through the feathers of tha birds. It is essential, to achieve best results, to treat the perches just before the birds go to roost. Otherwise a lot will*be lost by evaporation before tha birds are there. It is perhaps best to wait until some of them have actually gone to roost. It will be observed that the fowls do not like nicotine. They will be noticed moving about in an attempt to escape the smell,-and they soon discover that it is on the perches themselves. It is no use < treating some of the perches and neglecting others, for the fowls are smart enough to find the perch which has not been treated, if there la one. For this reason it is advisable to limit the perching space to that actually inquired for the birds' accoru- : modation, even if this means dismantling "a few lengths for a short period. Treating Individual Fowls

Treating individual fowls is better idone after dusk, when the birds are m ttch quieter, and yet when it is still light enough to handle them without the trouble of using artificial light. - Take the. bottle into the house and use ff the tip of the first finger to rub a few drops into the feathers of each ; . bird, without removing them from the perches. Of course this assumes that the fowls have been accustomed to v occasional handling, and will not be unduly frightened when gently held on the percli with thq left hand while the nicotine is applied with the first finger of the right hand." This is not at all a difficult" process. Anyone will poon' become- in - carrying; it out if the fowls are reasonably time. it is well worth while putting a few drops into, each n e st. Do not overdo this, for fowis are even more sensitive to an offensive smell in the nests than on the perches. If more than'two or three drops are put in thenests they will be likely to lay their eggs, outside. However, it is most important to have nests that are free from lice, so it is well worth while doing this carefully and frequently, miing not more than'a couple of drops at a time.