Hi I was just cleaning out the coop and found a mass of little red critters - there was loads of them in piles and very easy to see. I assumed they were red mites and have treated accordingly with smite. But....... reading on here - red mites shouldn't be easy to see in day and aren't necessarily red. I clear out the coop daily from poo and haven't noticed anything til today. so are they or aren't they???? :?
red mites or not?
- Thread starter Morricl
- Start date
Davidd
Active member
Hi, where were they? Look under the perches, especially where the perches fit to the sides of the house. They are normally only red when full of blood and are normally nocturnal. The best time to check is after dark with a torch- check your birds and the perches. Have they been going into the coop ok at night? It's hard to tell by your if they are- do you feel "lousey" after being in the coop for a few minutes?- they will be attracted by your body heat .
regards, David
regards, David
The red things were in the shavings on the floor - a big writhing pile of them - about as big as a fat thunderbug. I saw them whilst clearing out. It is a very small coop and I cannot get in it (I wouldn't get out if I did!) - I did feel lousy and had two bites on me. The hens (2) have been going in at night - the only thing I noticed is they laid their eggs outside for the last two days which is uncharacteristic. They don't really use the perch as it's too close to the door but I have checked today and cannot see anything. I will look later with a torch. as an aside - my husband bought me this coop for up to 6 hens and it's rubbish - it's far too small and we only have 2 hens. it was my birthday present so i don't like to complain. it was nearly £200 and it makes me cross because i think it was built for aesthetic not practicality - it doesn't even have a nesting box. thanks for you reply David
Davidd
Active member
Hi, i don't think they are red mites- not in a big pile. There may be red mite in there if you are getting bitten- and if the hens are laying outside and they used to lay inside then something is bothering them.I would clean the coop out and use a red mite product on it.
regards, David
regards, David
Oh they most certainly were red mites and last week's attempts at eradication were totally unsuccessful. Have just taken entire coop apart, attacked with jet washer, doused in dettol, gonna use Smite and then Red mite powder on chooks. I enjoyed using the dettol - depite being a pacifist "die you buggers"!!! :twisted:
