[Ginarina]

  Hello all can someone tell me what mites look like as yesterday I saw 5 or 6 tiny black things running around the chooks door, my hens where very interested in trying to eat them but I was horror struck...are these mites? 

[JACDORE]

There usually seen in clumps, wen u say tiny, do you mean approx 1-2mm.  Depending on wether they have been feeding they usually turn red as full of blood from the hens.  I'd go look all round the hen house, wat bedding do you use.

[Casey76]

Hi Ginarina, first of all there are many types of mites

The typical Red Mite which we refer to are very, very small - like several could fit onto a pin head.  Red Mite are typically grey in colour, and only take on the red colour when they have been feeding.

It would be impossible to eliminate all insects from your chicken pen/coop, and I wouldn't even try.  Many insects provide a valuable secondary food source.

As long as your hens are parasite free (part the feathers close to the vent, and beneath the wings for the most likely places to see nasties) and are fit and healthy, I wouldn't worry too much!

You can check for Red Mite by taking a slip of paper and running it between cracks in the wood of the coop - preferably after dark once the hens are roosting.  If the slip of paper comes out smeared with red, then you have a problem, if not, then you're OK.

[hillfooter]

Here's what they look like they are around 0.5 mm across but can be much smaller as they have 4 life cycles, larvae, protonymph, nymph, and adult.  These are adult RM on the end of a perching rail.  They can move remarkably fast for their size they can be off the screen and in your hair before you finish reading this.  ..........................Start itching NOW!



HF

[Lindeggs]

...They can move remarkably fast for their size they can be off thye screen and in your hair before you finish reading this.  ..........................Start itching NOW!

HF

 :blink: ooh what a cruel thing to do! My scalp started itching the moment I read that and I've never even had red mites!

I'll be sending you the therapist's bill.   

[Lastcast]

  scalp itching too and whats that ican feel crawling across my face