Mites are commonly contracted by chickens coming into contact with other animals that carry them.
- At risk:
- All chickens
- Symptoms:
- Tiny red or black spots on a chickens body
- Tiny specs moving on eggs or in a nest
- Leg scales that protrude out causing birds to walk with stiff legs
- Tiny eggs grouped together at base of feathers
- Feather damage
- Cause:
- Exposure to animals that carry mites
- Treatment:
- Seek advice from your vet
- Clean coops, nests, roosts, etc. thoroughly
- Dust birds and living spaces with poultry approved insecticide or delousing product
- Follow treatment guidelines as multiple applications are often required
- Mite Prevention:
- Keep coops, runs and living areas as clean as possible
- Remove old feathers from coops, runs and living areas
- Provide dry ground so birds may give themselves dust bathes
- Regularly wash chickens with pet shampoo and flea dip
- Brush perches each month with mixture of 1/3 kerosene, 2/3 linseed oil
- Coat chickens legs with petroleum jelly each month
For detailed information on other common ailments, see related posts below.
