Hey everyone! 👋
Mites are one of the most common and annoying pests that affect backyard chickens. If left untreated, they can cause feather loss, stress, anemia, and even death in severe cases. Knowing how to identify and treat mites quickly is key to keeping your flock healthy!
🐔 Signs Your Chickens Have Mites
🔎 Visible bugs on feathers or skin (tiny red, brown, or black specks)
🔎 Feather loss around vent, neck, or under wings
🔎 Pale comb/wattles (sign of anemia)
🔎 Excessive preening or scratching
🔎 Crusty, raised scales on legs (scaly leg mites)
🔎 Drop in egg production
🚨 Types of Mites & Where to Find Them
🩸 Red Mites (Roost Mites) – Hide in the coop during the day & attack chickens at night.
🦠 Northern Fowl Mites – Live on the bird full-time, usually around the vent area.
🦵 Scaly Leg Mites – Burrow under leg scales, causing rough, raised, crusty legs.
✅ How to Treat Mites in Chickens
🔥 Step 1: Treat the Birds
✔ Dust chickens with food-grade Diatomaceous Earth (DE) – Apply under wings, around vent, and along the back.
✔ Use poultry-safe mite sprays (like Elector PSP or permethrin-based sprays).
✔ For severe infestations, ivermectin drops (oral or topical) can help eliminate mites.
✔ For scaly leg mites, coat legs with coconut oil or Vaseline daily for a week to suffocate the mites.
🛑 Do NOT use motor oil, diesel, or other harmful substances!
🔥 Step 2: Deep Clean the Coop
✔ Remove all bedding & spray down the coop with poultry-safe disinfectant.
✔ Use Diatomaceous Earth (DE) or permethrin spray in nesting boxes & roosts.
✔ Replace bedding & treat all birds at the same time to prevent reinfestation.
🔥 Step 3: Prevent Future Infestations
✔ Provide a dust bath area (with wood ash, DE, or sand) to help chickens naturally control mites.
✔ Regularly inspect your flock (especially under wings & around vents).
✔ Keep the coop dry & well-ventilated – mites thrive in damp areas.
💬 Have You Dealt with Mites Before?
🐔 What treatment worked best for you?
🩺 How long did it take to get rid of them?
📸 Drop your experiences below! 👇🐓🔥
