| Popis: |
THE chicken body louse (Eomenacanthus stramineus (Nitz.)) is considered one of the most important external parasites of poultry in the United States. Infestations often reach high proportions, resulting in a lowered flock vitality and increased mortality (Thompson, 1922). It is generally considered that egg production is adversely affected by a heavy louse infestation (Edgar and King, 1950). It has been observed in this study that certain individual birds appear to be more susceptible to infestation by lice than are other birds. Such birds are easily recognized by their emaciated and listless appearance. Whether the condition of such birds is the result of lice infestation or whether the conditions are pre-disposing factors favoring lice infestation is not clear. However, flocks of old males under long-time observation have shown that certain individuals remain relatively free of lice though confined for months in the same house with heavily infested birds. Studies were begun … |
