Mites?

[Magda12]

My chicken hatched some eggs this weekend in the main coop (she wouldn't let me move her). I moved her last night and this morning I removed the old nesting pad from her brood box in the main coop. As we were walking away, I noticed that I had tiny grey green bugs all over my hand and arm. They were so tiny even my near-sighted self couldn't see any details... Just little moving grey green dots. I could feel and they were making me itch. Any idea what these could be and how to treat it?

 

[Folly's place]

Lice? Look up photos of the mites and lice afflicting chickens, and treat with permethrin if necessary. Mary

 

[Magda12]

I won't use chemical pesticides. I did look up photos of both mites and lice and these looked like none of the photos I saw. I'm guessing they have to be some kind of mites given how tiny they were... Any other things I can do to treat without chemicals?

 

[Theorrin]

do they have access to loose dirt for baths? wont kill them all but does help out

 

[Magda12]

do they have access to loose dirt for baths? wont kill them all but does help out

Yep, the entire 10x10 inner run is dry loose dirt with lots of course sand. I am going to add some First Saturday Lime outside and in the coop. I also found an all natural spray that I'll use just in case.