Whether you have few chickens or a large flock, you are likely to face the common challenge of red mites. Although red mites are tiny creatures (less than 1mm in size) they can cause serious problems for your flock.
These mites can be tricky to spot as they usually do their damage at night where they emerge to feed off the chickens (by sucking blood, sadly) then returning to their hiding places to digest and breed.
The problems and symptoms
A red mite infestation can be a serious problem having a noticeable effect on the health of the birds. They can stop laying, suffer from anemia (you might see their wattles and combs become paler), itch more, and they may be reluctant to go into their coop at night. Red mites can even cause the death of chickens.
Red mites hide in gaps and crevices in the coop, at the end of perches, in the nesting boxes, or in bedding material. Although not easy to spot their faeces and eggs looks like greyish dust. You might even notice small red blood spots on the eggs. Red mites are not naturally red (usually a grey colour as are their eggs), but they become red after feeding on blood, and so become easier to identify.
Red mites can also cause irritation to the human keepers too, which you might have already experienced if you keep chickens!
Treatment action
Red Mites have a short life cycle (around 7 to 10 days) so you need to be vigilant, checking the coop weekly.
Cleaning
If you suspect red mites, thoroughly clean the coop, which may include washing the coop using a poultry detergent. Of course, cleaning the coop should be a regular activity in the care of your chickens.
Apply treatment
You can apply a treatment such as Nettex ready to use spray, to disinfect and eradicate the mites - but don’t use it directly on the birds. You should ventilate the coop until it is dry.
For hard-to-reach places in the coop, the Nettex Total Mite Kill Aerosol Spray is a useful treatment option.
Prevention
Finally, use a powder treatment such as the Nettex Total Hygiene Powder. Such a powder can be used weekly and whenever you clean the coop. Make sure the powder gets into those little gaps, edges, and crevices where red mites might gather.
Nettex Total Hygiene Powder contains a natural substance called Diatomaceous Earth which attacks the waxy shell of the red mites which then die. Diatomaceous Earth does not affect the eggs.
Diatomaceous Earth is safe for the chickens so can be applied to bedding, and to the chickens themselves. You can also put some in the chicken’s favourite dust-bath area as an extra self-treatment!
Important
It is important to always read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully as the ingredients and the application guidance of products will vary between manufacturers.
Further advice and help
Our in-store staff can advise and help with tackling parasites like red mites. Visit us in-store for a chat about red mite treatment, and other questions you have about caring for your flock.
You can see our comprehensive range of treatments and remedies for poultry online here, or come along to see our range in-store.