Hello. Can mites be in a newly constructed empty coop?

[freshmanchick]

Hello, BYCers. I just joined.
I lived on a farm which included chickens until I was in 6th grade. I'm coming full circle and have moved back to the country trying chickens for myself now that I'm semi-retired (in the office only 2 days a week!).
My (first) 7 day-old chicks will arrive in a little over a week. I Have been looking at coops and coop plans for months. Saw one for sale that I liked last week, but noticed these tiny red critters racing along where one of the door braces met the door. Is it possible the coop is infested with mites even though it has never been used? How can I identify the critters? (It'll take a magnifying glass to see any details other than their color.) Should I just walk away? Thx for any help.

 

[Chickenloving]

Welcome to BYC!!

Normally if you have mites the chickens will take dust baths or can give them medicine. It shouldn't be much of a problem.

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

Congrats on the soon to arrive chicks! I hope they arrive safely. The most common Northern Mite is not red unless it has been feasting on chicken blood. So usually if you see one during the day, it should be opaque or clear. There are a lot of red mites out there. Many of them are not harmful to chickens. If nothing is living in this coop and hasn't for a long time, then I wouldn't think these little red mites will bother your birds. But to error on the side of caution, I would avoid it or if you do purchase this coop, hose, scrub, spray and white wash the thing down to get rid of any mite and eggs that might be present.

Enjoy all your poultry adventures and welcome to our flock!

 

[drumstick diva]

If they are teensy weensy red dots you can barely see - these may be plant mites. I see them often outside on the sidewalk, wood, mailbox etc. but they really are hoping to find a good plants to ruin. If you squish them with your finger, they leave a red stain. I doubt these would bother chickens. Still I hate bugs period.

 

[dikbiscuit]

Welcome to the site!

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC - I agree with 'dd' . What you saw are most likely garden or 'wood' mites - especially if bright red and fairly large (by mite standards).

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[gander007]

 

[freshmanchick]

Thank you for the reply. Being new to this, I'm reminded of when I apologized to my new baby's pediatrician (decades ago) for acting like a nervous new mother. He replied: Why? Aren't you a nervous new mother?
Feels like that all over again.