How common are mites and lice?

[First-time-raising]

We just got baby chicks and they are 3 weeks old. I keep reading these threads about mites and lice and are just wonderin if its really a common problem. Tell you the truth its kinda freaking My wife and I out now. Should I be buying Food grade DE right know and keep up with it so it doesn't start. What do you guys think?

 

[Heidi]

Honestly, I haven't had a problem until I brought in straw from a local farm who also had chickens. I figured the mites were in the straw because I had checked my chickens that week prior to the straw being delivered and they were bug free. I do dust them occasionally with the DE and also dust their coop with it every Saturday. I ended up using Sevin to get rid of the red mites though.

 

[bantymum]

Hi, its not a problem for humans, they wont jump on to you!!!
Just get the Seven dust and powder your coop and in between the grooves on perches and in dark corners.
Most chickens get a few in their lives but with good hygiene and a cleaning routine you will have them under control.
Have pine shavings in the coop, and if you use hay for warmth in winter, just scatter the shavings and powder through that.
Have fun with your chickens.

 

[paganfish]

I also hear that they can get lice from wild birds as well as the scaly mites? Is this true? I got some bantys from a lady and they ALL had scaly mites. I took care of them with vaseline and they are doing MUCH better. Mine didn't have the scaly mites and wild birds do come into their run. Weird!

 

[rooster-red]

It is possible for chickens to get mites from wild birds.

 

[bantymum]

Yes indeed, they can, but mine freerange so they are subject to this, however i just use precautions with pine shavings and powder.
From my observations, Scaley Leg mites usually occur mostly in deep litter coops which the owners let the hay, and leaves build up and get damp.
I have never had these with my freerangers and if mine were in a coop I would try to keep the run dry. Pine needles are good in a run and coop so are dry lavender leaves.