Is this a chicken mite?

[Sullysul]

I was in my coop and found this on my hoodie. Is it a mite? I’m freaking out.

 

[aart]

Too blurry when zoomed in...I'd guess spider.
Easy to freak at every little insect you see around the coop.
But don't.
If you can get a bug into a small container and put it in the freezer for a couple hours, then you can get better pics of it. Always include something in the pic for scale.

My Bug Check notes:
Have you checked them over real well for mites and/or lice?

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[rosemarythyme]

Doesn't appear to be a chicken mite - it's too big and the wrong color. Chicken mites are so tiny it's hard to spot them except for the fact that they move.

 

[Sullysul]

Thanks everyone. I’m going to check tonight and buy some permethrin to keep on hand. Does de help prevent? Or is that just a myth? Either way I’m getting the permethrin, I was just curious. Do you use permethrin on the birds as well?

 

[aart]

Does de help prevent?

No.

Or is that just a myth?

Yes.

Either way I’m getting the permethrin, I was just curious. Do you use permethrin on the birds as well?

You use it on the birds, only if you find bugs on the birds.
Unless you find Roost Mites, as described here....:
Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008
....then you treat the coop too.

 

[cmom]

Can't tell from the picture. Have you checked the birds? Some mites live on the birds and some in the coops and only come out at night and feed on them. For the latter, I use a headlamp so I have both of my hands free and check the birds after they roost in the evening.

 

[Sullysul]

Can't tell from the picture. Have you checked the birds? Some mites live on the birds and some in the coops and only come out at night and feed on them. For the latter, I use a headlamp so I have both of my hands free and check the birds after they roost in the evening.

Is this better
Do they leave droppings in the coop?

 

[cmom]

Can't tell from the picture. Have you checked the birds? Some mites live on the birds and some in the coops and only come out at night and feed on them. For the latter, I use a headlamp so I have both of my hands free and check the birds after they roost in the evening.

I would check the birds and see if you can see anything on them. If you do then I would consider treating the birds and coop. Permethrin is my choice for treatment. It doesn't kill the pests eggs so repeated weekly treatment for 3 or 4 weeks is essential, thoroughly treating the inside of their coop, every crack and crevice where the mites can hide. I personally use the concentrate in a gallon sprayer with a wand to get the hard to reach areas, but I have a lot of coops. Wild birds can introduce them as well as rodents. The bonus is that there is no egg withdrawal period. You can get permethrin poultry dust, premixed spray and the concentrate at most feed stores. I get mine at our local TSC. Maybe these sites will help. Good luck...
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/ectoparasites/mites-of-poultry
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ow-to-protect-your-chickens-from-mites.47721/
https://www.dummies.com/home-garden...ns/poultry-external-parasites-lice-and-mites/

 

[ChickForLife]

Is this better
Do they leave droppings in the coop?

Can you get a close up, can't tell? And yes, definitely check them at night!