Are these red mites in my coop? (Photos)

[77horses]

I recently noticed that inside my coop (on the wooden roosts, in the nest boxes, etc. are these tiny, oval bugs crawling about (they’re pretty fast). They’re small but visible to the naked eye. I keep my coop quite clean (use fresh pine shavings for bedding, changed regularly) so I’m not sure how that hasn’t helped ward them off. I’m almost certain they’re red mites, based on what I’ve read, although I’ve never dealt with them in my 10+ years of chicken raising so I’m not sure. Please see photos.
We have a wooden coop and apparently coops with wooden structures are more likely to get them. I checked my flock over (especially around their chests, under wings, around vent, etc.) but no sign of mites (or lice) physically on them, which also indicates red mites; I read they mostly live IN the coop rather than ON the birds during the day, but at night they crawl on the birds to feed.
So far none of my birds look anemic (see photos of bright red combs). Hopefully I caught them early enough before they could cause any major damage.
I do have an old (6-7+ year old) hen who has been broody for the last few weeks and in the nest most of the day; she stopped laying several months ago, I presume due to her age, but still insists on brooding. As you can see in the pic, her comb is quite pale compared to the others, but I’m not sure if it’s due to her not laying anymore or because she’s in the nest almost 24/7 and therefore more exposed to the mites.
Nonetheless, if y’all could confirm that these do appear to be red mites, I’ll look onto getting rid of them ASAP. Also, feel free to share your tried-and-true methods for getting rid of them.
Thanks!

(My older broody hen, with pale comb)

(Another one of my older, 6+ year old hens, with bright red comb; she’s still laying.)

(My 3rd older, 6+ year old hen, also with bright pink comb; also still laying)

(One of my silkie mix roosters, with bright red comb)

(Inside of coop)

 

[Marie2020]

That looks really nasty. Hoping someone will know what this is.

Have you bathed her at all? I had a hen with bumble foot and she had lost a lot of her feathers. I used a little mild oil based soap vinegar and Epsom salt in warm water and gave her a good soak before oiling i used olive it helps by suffocating a lot of bugs.

 

[Jeanw]

Maybe some food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) sprinkled on the wood might help. Tractor supply carries this, as well as amazon, walmart, etc. You might need to clear the pine shavings and sprinkle the DE around, then just brush the pine shavings back. A light handed sprinkle should be Ok. I usually sprinkle it around when I clean out the coop before each spring and winter. But yes, check your hens for any infestation.

 

[77horses]

Maybe some food grade diatomaceous earth (DE) sprinkled on the wood might help. Tractor supply carries this, as well as amazon, walmart, etc. You might need to clear the pine shavings and sprinkle the DE around, then just brush the pine shavings back. A light handed sprinkle should be Ok. I usually sprinkle it around when I clean out the coop before each spring and winter. But yes, check your hens for any infestation.

Yes I was thinking about getting some DE as well, not only as a potential treatment but also as a regular cleaning aid (preventative). I used to use DE all the time as a lice preventative on the birds but stopped using it when I was told it wasn’t effective. Might just have to give it another try for these mites. Thanks
Also- no sign of mite infestation on the birds. Feather based look clean, and no sign of any mites crawling on their skin. Red mites should only be hanging around in the coop during the day but they feed on the birds at night. Yuck

 

[77horses]

That looks really nasty. Hoping someone will know what this is.

Have you bathed her at all? I had a hen with bumble foot and she had lost a lot of her feathers. I used a little mild oil based soap vinegar and Epsom salt in warm water and gave her a good soak before oiling i used olive it helps by suffocating a lot of bugs.

Good idea. They’re due for a good chicken spa day anyways.

 

[Marie2020]

Good idea. They’re due for a good chicken spa day anyways.

If you have any benonite clay when they have dried rub it into the affected areas. Be careful you both do not breathe it in.

That's correct it doesn't work when wet but on dry days it's great. Also I put into the mud bath just for a little protection

 

[Alliesan648]

Definitely looks like red mites. Personally, I would not waste any time with DE, buy a permethrin product and spray down/dust every single crack and surface in your coop after you remove the bedding. I found the spray easier to apply in a larger pump sprayer.

 

[lbgreenfield]

Definitely looks like red mites. Personally, I would not waste any time with DE, buy a permethrin product and spray down/dust every single crack and surface in your coop after you remove the bedding. I found the spray easier to apply in a larger pump sprayer.

Agree with @Alliesan648. DE won't do anything against mites/lice (it's an old wives tale and is bad for your lungs and your birds lungs if inhaled).

You'll need to remove and burn all the coop bedding and thoroughly spray the entire coop, every single crack and crevice, under roosts, everything, with Permethrin 10 solution (mixed according to package instructions, I use this one). You can also use that same product to directly spray your birds (around the vents, under wings, around necks, etc), making sure to get directly onto the skin following the package instructions.

I just had to do this last night to my entire coop and flock for mite control.

 

[coach723]

I second the permethrin treatment. DE isn't going to get rid of them. You will need to treat the birds and the coop, at least 3 times at weekly intervals to get any that continue to hatch. Long term, painting bare wood surfaces in the coop, to seal up the nooks and crannies that mites can hide in, can help alot. You can use a poultry dust on the birds if you don't want to spray them, the spray works best in the coop to get in all the cracks and crannies.
You can also use Elector PSP, but it's a lot more expensive.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/poultry-lice-and-mites-identification/

 

[Alliesan648]

Agree with @Alliesan648. DE won't do anything against mites/lice (it's an old wives tale and is bad for your lungs and your birds lungs if inhaled).

You'll need to remove and burn all the coop bedding and thoroughly spray the entire coop, every single crack and crevice, under roosts, everything, with Permethrin 10 solution (mixed according to package instructions, I use this one). You can also use that same product to directly spray your birds (around the vents, under wings, around necks, etc), making sure to get directly onto the skin following the package instructions.

I just had to do this last night to my entire coop and flock for mite control.

yes Exactly!
And I wanted to add, get the nest boxes reallllly good, that poor broody is probably getting chewed all day long.
I’ve been at war with these buggers all summer long, it’s exhausting. I’ve even painted and then siliconed All the gaps in the floor.. sigh