[keepers_cottage]

Hi All,

After making the garden anti intruder proof, we intend on getting a trio of laying hens over the next few weeks.

I was speaking to a friend over the weekend who says to avoid the wooded hen houses because of red mite, is this correct? I have already built a house for them but she says that no matter how clean you keep it, the red mite will get in.

Any help appreciated.

Gavin

[wadz81]

We have had ours since november in a wooden coop using straw and as yet mite free, we clean them out every other day with poultry shield hope this helps

[Roughlee Handled]

Welcome to the Mad house. :blink:
They are correct about red spider mite.  You will always get it in a wooden house.  But there are ways of controlling red spider mite.
Take you time have a look around the site there is allot of info on red spider mite on this site.  There is tons of info.  

red spider mite is not something to worry about but something to be aware of and understanding how to control it in you coop.

[poultrygeist]

Hi Gavin. Welcome to the hen house 

I have had my own DIY timber house and have never seen any red-mite yet. If we do get them, it won't be easy to get rid of them, but they are not inevitable.

The less nooks and crannies you have, the better, but again, mine is terrible for cleaning so don't get too despondant.

Rob

[SnooziSuzi]

Roughlee, don't get your bugs mixed up!  Red spider mite is different to red mite;

red spider mite live in the greenhouse and damage crops; red mite is what invades hen houses.

just a small difference in the name makes an entirely different creature!

[raeburg]

wooden houses have more crevices for red mite to hide away in.  I use wooden housing and haven't had (touch wood) a problem with them yet!  There's been other problems but not red mite.  If you clean regularly and thoroughly you can keep them at bay.  It's easier to prevent than treat.  Use a mite powder on your hens and in the house, if you have a steam cleaner and can reach the house with that give it a going over.  Good hygiene is the best thing.  Hope this helps

[Roughlee Handled]

Roughlee, don't get your bugs mixed up!  Red spider mite is different to red mite;

red spider mite live in the greenhouse and damage crops; red mite is what invades hen houses.

just a small difference in the name makes an entirely different creature!

OK i accept I was wrong.  But I dont like the way to told me Handbags at dawn.  You know the place.

[raeburg]

Children!!!  Stop it at once or it'll be the naughty step   

[Roughlee Handled]

"It was SnooziSuzi she did it Mommy"...
..."WWWWWWWWWaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaR"

[keepers_cottage]

Thanks all for your replys. Not too concerned about it now!

Will make sure they are cleaned regularly and will keep my eye out for the little menaces!

[too many girls]

Rough have you jumped out your pram again?

[Roughlee Handled]

Rough have you jumped out your pram again?

No just I am still in the pram
just spat my dummy

[too many girls]

you really should use an orthopedic one, them kind will give you buck teeth.....................

[SnooziSuzi]

I seem to be upsetting everyone today! 

Sowwee Wuffly    wasn't meant as a telling off, honest! 

[too many girls]

you didn't upset him snooze you merely pointed out the error of his ways and that upset him, but never mind Stuart, we can't all be right all the time