red mite? what to look for?
- Thread starter incognito
- Start date
chrismahon
Well-known member
Hi Incogneto. Look for the little things themselves. The size of a pinhead hiding in corners and under perches or in any gaps in woodwork. Wipe the surfaces with a piece of kitchen towel and look for red streaks -squashed mite. You can also tape 2" lengths of drinking straw under the perches and look down them with a torch in the morning as the mite will hide in them. Sometimes you will find them on the hens in the daytime, under their wings. If the attack is very bad the hens will develop pale combs due to blood loss. They will come out in the morning rather weak and pick up during the day. When they get to that stage they are likely to die in the night.
Hi Incognito, have you noticed the link at the bottom of the page to the Poultrykeeper website? There's a mine of information there about keeping chickens. Have a look at this page, on redmite, for instance http://poultrykeeper.com/red-mite/red-mites
Although redmite can appear at any time it's not very likely that you have a bad infestation this early in the year, when its still cold, unless your coop was riddled with them last season and you didn't notice and so left them untreated. There are other reasons for hens not laying - could you remind us how old they are, please, and what breeds? And when did you last worm them with Flubenvet? If it was more than 4-6 months ago, a course of treatment may well help them to be able to have more strength for laying if the worm burden is removed. (Good info on Flubenvet and chicken worms on Poultrykeeper as well.)
Although redmite can appear at any time it's not very likely that you have a bad infestation this early in the year, when its still cold, unless your coop was riddled with them last season and you didn't notice and so left them untreated. There are other reasons for hens not laying - could you remind us how old they are, please, and what breeds? And when did you last worm them with Flubenvet? If it was more than 4-6 months ago, a course of treatment may well help them to be able to have more strength for laying if the worm burden is removed. (Good info on Flubenvet and chicken worms on Poultrykeeper as well.)
foxy
Active member
topic moved 
Yes I agree with Marigold, it is unlikely at this time of year that you have an infestation of redmite.
Do you hens look healthy? Any changes in behaviour you have noticed?
Yes I agree with Marigold, it is unlikely at this time of year that you have an infestation of redmite.
Do you hens look healthy? Any changes in behaviour you have noticed?
i check thoughout winter now even when its cold just in case , starting cleaning and spraying today as well with it suddenly getting mild any bug or insect can come out of hiding and i am not having any this year :lol: , i've seen things flying around that shouldnt be for at least another 2 months even be closing the windows for the past few nights as weird biting things have been coming in.
Hi
I have a mixture of light sussex and nova browns and a handfull of x breed pullets and two cockerells totaling 31 in all!
they are starting to provide more eggs each day so I thing I am on track .
I can see no sign of red mite so I assume that it is just a seasonal drop in eggs.
many thanks for the advice I will keep you updated with progress
cheers Incognito.
I have a mixture of light sussex and nova browns and a handfull of x breed pullets and two cockerells totaling 31 in all!
they are starting to provide more eggs each day so I thing I am on track .
I can see no sign of red mite so I assume that it is just a seasonal drop in eggs.
many thanks for the advice I will keep you updated with progress
cheers Incognito.
