My chickens have mites

[Desirai]

Is this just something I'll have to deal with?

Everytime I go in the chicken coop I come out covered in mites. they're on me right now and it's so freakin icky!!!

Is there any way I can get rid of the mites or is it just something that comes with chickens?

 

[Keltara]

Here's a link that will help you:

How to get rid of a Serious Red Mite Infestation

Now, once you've treated your birds and more importantly, your COOP, I urge you to switch your bedding to construction/masonry sand. It is what I have used in my coop for 2 years (and I have not had mites once). The construction sand his sharper and more jagged than play sand and creates a very uninhabitable environment for mites, and a very healthy environment for your chickens. More on sand in the coop can be found here. Good Luck!

Kelly

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Our Country Chronicles

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[HEChicken]

Goodness no! Its not healthy for them or you and you should try to get rid of them. Go to your local hardware store or farm store and look in the garden section for Sevin Dust. Dust all of the roosts, and the birds as well, being careful not to get it in their eyes. You may need to fluff their feathers to ensure the dust is getting down to the skin. You should also remove all the bedding, dust the floor of the coop and then replace it with clean bedding. Do the same for the nest boxes. The birds will thank you for it - they are probably itchy and miserable all the time, as it sounds like you have quite an infestation.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

This is not normal and needs to be treated right away. Mites can kill chickens if the infestation gets too serious and this sounds like a bad one. If it is mites and not lice then they are also living in your coop and bedding. You need to get rid of ALL bedding and nesting material and clean your entire coop really well then treat your birds. I dust with a poultry dust. Any dust only kills live mites so you will need to repeat every 7 to 10 days as the mite eggs hatch. Usually two or three treatments will do the trick.