Mites are an external parasite that infests chickens and their surroundings. Mites can reproduce quickly and feed on chicken blood, cause irritations and even death. Poultry mites are small, and you will need to monitor chickens and their surroundings if you suspect a mite problem. Mites can invade at any time, but warmer summer months are more environmentally suitable for infestations. Mites are nocturnal and hide in cracks and crevices during daytime. Most common mite in chickens is the red mite but others include the scaly leg mite which burrows beneath the scales of the leg. This causes damage and inflammation often with white crusting. Another type is the northern fowl mite. The difference between this mite from the others is that it lives its entire life on the chicken. The depluming mite gives birth to live young and spreads by direct bird contact.

Chickens can also suffer from lice which lay white eggs around the vent, base of feathers and under the wings. They burrow causing damage to tissue and create an ooze of fluid from chickens which they feed on. They cause weight loss, restlessness, and reduced egg production. They are transmitted by direct contact.

Monitor your flock and the areas they occupy to determine if you have mites or lice. Watch birds for behavior changes such as preening, head scratching, feather pecking, tattered feathers, aggression to other chickens, loss of body weight, reduced egg production, combs and wattles are pale in color. Sometimes red mites may be seen crawling on eggs especially if they are in the nesting boxes. If severe infestations chickens might change their roosting areas as well.

Blue Painter’s Tape can be used to monitor areas for mites. Purchase the wide tape and wrap it near the roosting area and walls with the sticky side facing outward and away from the roosting poles. Mites that crawl along the roost will become stuck on the tape. Preferably to do this in the evening after chickens have selected their spot on the roost. Examine the tape the following day and count the mites stuck to the tape surface. Monitor several areas as an infestation might be higher in some areas over other areas. This will help determine the areas to focus on more heavily for control.

Prevention

Cleaning disturbs the crack and crevices where mites hide. Painting the inside of the coop will cover the cracks and crevices where mites like to hide during daytime. If you paint chose a light color so they are easier to see. This also makes the areas easier to clean and disinfect. Silicone gel can be used to seal larger cracks and crevices. Exclude wild birds and rodents from your flock as these can be carriers of mites.

Treatment Options

Clean the coop removing any liter. Wash areas down and allow to dry. Premise treatments include Permethrin, Bifenthrin and Carbaryl. Remove feed and water before treatments. Do not apply if birds are present. Bird treatments include Permethrin, Carbaryl, Spinosad, and Sulfur. Always read and follow label recommendations and instructions. In some instances, it might become necessary to consult with a veterinarian for treatment.