[Ben_H]

I've been looking for some logs to put in the run for the chooks to perch on and provide a temporary home/trap for slugs etc.

I found a couple today that were suitable but noticed what I think might be red mites on them. I presume it's very difficult to pick a log that is mite free so do people treat them before putting them into chicken runs? I have a plastic coop if that makes any difference?

[Aunt Sally]

The mites you saw were probably red velvet mites rather than "red mite".

They are goodies rather than badies

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/redvelvetmite.htm

[Ben_H]

Thanks Aunt Sally, looks like them to me. Saw them up close whilst I was felling the tree.

[GrannieAnnie]

Mind you, if you do ever get red mite in your coop, look closely at your fence posts too.  The first time we had a really bad red mite infestation, the little blighters were in the gate posts as well!

[orchardlady]

I am told that you should not use any kind of fir or conifer tree either as playground logs for the hens or as chips in their run as wild birds like to roost in them and will leave red mite behind. The red mite is not an issue for the wild birds as they just move on once their are too many mite in their nests and roosts.

Orchardlady

[Abacus]

I have bits of telegraph pole stacked in the large run at strategic points between the coops and the main feeder - that way the girls run an assault course in the morning on their way to their first feed of the day (good exercise for them) The rest of the day they seem to use them to keep an eye on me...

[Dominic]

I did consider it, and so placed my logs at the other end of the run from the coop, assuming a 3+ metre walk from the log to the coop would be beyond most mites.