The Use of Sulfur and Sulfur Compounds in the Control of Poultry Lice1

Abstract

Tests conducted to determine the efficacy of the treatment for chicken lice by the internal submission of sulfur proved that such treatment was ineffective. Tests involving the incorporation of sulfur in a balanced mash feed were made in which the S constituted 5-10% by wt. Such treatments gave only limited controls. The control was greatest in the neck region. Birds that were dusted with 5 and 10% mash feed were freed of lice, indicating that a proper contamination would result in control. Field tests of sulfur-mash feeding did not indicate that this would be a logical method when used alone. Tests were conducted in which chickens were periodically dusted with dusting sulfur. Controls were excellent. Soil-treatment tests were made in which dusting sulfur was added at the rate of 5-10 lb. per 100 sq. ft. Small and medium scale tests indicated that control would be partial or complete. A test was conducted in which birds were suspended in a pen 2 inches above heavily sulfur-treated soil. There was no control of lice, indicating clearly that the control where soil treatment is involved is dependent upon contamination through the normal dusting activity of the birds. Sulfur-treated sawdust gave control in a manner similar to the soil treatments. Expts. were conducted using wettable sulfur and 32[degree] Baume lime sulfur concentrate dips. Wettable sulfur at the rate of 5-8 lb. to 100 gallons and lime sulfur concentrate at 1 gallon in 60-100 gallons of water gave 100% control in 1-2 weeks. Body residues were not permanent enough to protect the birds when they were exposed to heavily infested birds.