Best way to keep mites and bugs off chickens

[4Crazychickens4me]

ok so I’m new to this whoe chicken thing. What is the best way to make sure they don’t get mites /bug?

 

[Better Than Rubies]

Hello! I think the best way to keep the parasites off them is to keep a supply of dirt or sand in their run so they can dust-bathe and keep themselves parasite-free.

 

[Eggcessive]

I wouldn't recommend doing anything to prevent lice and mites, but just check them once a week, looking under the vent area and elsewhere for any signs or tiny bugs. Avoid hay and straw for bedding since they can bring in mites. Wild birds or new chickens brought into a flock can cause an infestation of either mites or lice. If you get an infestation, get some permethrin 10% spray concentrate, and you can mix up gallons to treat birds and the coop--follow label directions for chickens. Lice require treatment at least twice 10 days apart, to get lice plus the newly hatched eggs before they reproduce. Mites require treatment at 7 day intervals. Permethrin garden dust is also good, but the spray is best to treat coops.

The need for a dust bathing area is good for helping prevent them. DE is a waste of time, and can be dangerous if breathed in.