The advice hub Red mites
What are red mites in chickens?
Red mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) are blood sucking ectoparasites that commonly affect chickens and turkeys, particularly during warmer summer months. Warm conditions allow red mite populations to multiply rapidly, making infestations difficult to control if not addressed early.
Early intervention using targetd treatments such as Home Shield can help control red mite infestations before they escalate.
Red mites are nocturnal parasites. They hide in cracks and crevices of the coop during the day and emerge at night to feed on your birds' blood before returning to their hiding places to digest and reproduce.
How to identify red mite in your coop
Red mites are visible to the naked eye but can be difficult to detect in small numbers. As infestations grow, they become much easier to spot.
To check for red mites in your chicken coop:
- Inspect perch ends, nest boxes, and cracks regularly
- Check the coop at night using a torch
- Crush suspected mites onto white paper - red streaks indicate blood-fed mites
Newly hatched mites appear greyish-white, turning bright red after feeding and then reddish-brown as they digest the blood.
Regular coop inspections are essential for early detection and effective red mite control.
Red mite life cycle
The red mite lifecycle is extremely fast, taking just 7 to 10 days from egg to adult, depending on environmental temperature.
The rapid lifecycle means:
- Infestations can grow quickly
- Weekly monitoring is essential
- Treatment must target both mites and their environment
Health problems caused by red mites
A red mite infestation can have serious consequences for bird health.
Low-level infestations may cause:
- Irritation and restlessness
- Itching in both birds and keepers
Heavy infestations can lead to:
- Anaemia (pale comb and wattles)
- Weakness and dullness
- Reduced egg production
- Death in severe cases
Chicks are especially vulnerable, as red mite saliva is toxic to them.
Red mites may also crawl onto human skin, causing irritation, but they do not live on humans.
Signs of red mite infestation in chickens
Common signs of red mite include:
- Red or grey mites (up to 0.7mm) in the coop or on eggs
- Birds reluctant to enter the coop
- Pale comb and wattles (anaemia)
- Loss of condition
- Drop in egg production
- Blood spots on eggs
- Itching (birds and humans)
Red mite treatment for chickens
Effective red mite treatment requires both thorough cleaning and targeted control products.
Step 1: Clean the Chicken Coop
Start by removing all bedding and organic matter before washing down the coop with a detergent such as Poultry Detergent & Disinfectant, and allowing to dry. Once the coop is dry, spray all surfaces with a poultry-specific disinfectant such as Interkokask RTU.
Removing dirt and debris first is essential as it exposes the mites to the treatments.
Step 2: Apply red mite treatment
Cleaning alone will not eliminate a red mite infestation. A targeted treatment, such as Home Shield, is essential to break the lifecycle and reduce mite numbers effectively.
Red mites live in the environment and feed at night, so treating the coop is critical.
Best Treatments for Red Mite
There are several treatment options available depending on the severity of the infestation.
Recommended options include:
Exzolt (Please contact your veterinary surgeon as you will need a prescription from your vet in order to purchase Exzolt. Please note, The Chicken Vet are unable to sell this product directly to owners unless you have a prescription)
Supporting Chickens During Infestation
Chickens affected by red mites may benefit from additional nutritional support.
Poultry Multivitamins can be added to drinking water for five days to support recovery and help birds regain condition after infestation.
