Having lost my chooks and having a red mite problem last year I'm a little apprehensive to start up again. I always used diatom regularly and having never seen red mites before I didn't spot them, they are so small the little blighters.
Those pics are very good. Mine hadn't fed as were grey, just like moving dust. Make me itch just thinking about it!! We treated the coop and run but I have a fear that they may still be lurking waiting for me to get some new chooks!!
I have been looking at plastic housing but do they have condensation problems? I know they aren't mite proof but presume they will be a lot easier to clean/treat. The house would be in the large run which is roofed to protected from the harsh sunlight. Any advice? Current house, should I burn it just incase?