Mites?

[Aozalazar]

I've read many of the remarks on this thread. There's lots of good advice. I like the hemp bedding pads because I can pull them change them clean the nesting box each time I replace new bedding. This would also work for pine, hay or reusable pads. I've also put linoleum on the bottom of my nesting boxes and caulked it so no cracks. It makes cleaning really really easy as well. I also use linoleum on the bottom of my coop and cleaning is so easy. I use deep litter methods so on top of the linoleum I do have pine shavings. However I strongly, strongly advise against straw if mites are even in the slightest possibility existent. Why? Because you can use the best of the best treatments and those critters can hide inside the straw for safety until they know it's safe to retreat and you will have another re infestation. This is from personal experience.

 

[Aozalazar]

Post pics of your nests.

If you suspect mites and/or for regular check ups:
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.

Look fast, they will scatter quickly once the feathers are parted and the light hits them.

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

Yep, one night I checked on the ladies with my headlamp on. I open up the coop reached inside just to see how they're doing and all of a sudden I felt creepy crawlies all over me.
All of a sudden my forehead started to feel a little itchy as well. Then I shine the headlight up and I saw all these almost microscopic critters everywhere. I have been doing checks on them during the day but was unable to notice the mites on the hens. It wasn't until the headlamp and getting in the coop at night. It's not a fun experience once you feel them on you but you'll at least be able to take care of your ladies. I lost one hen to anemia a couple years ago due to an unknown mite infestation. Hard way to learn so I hope this helps others.