Odd Foot pounding

[rstampa]

My hens are doing something odd! When they are in their coop roosting for the night, they pound their foot on the floor of the coop. One leg not both. They seem to take turns each night through out the week. I don't know why. Perhaps to scare off predators? Just a guess on my part.
Has anyone had this experience with their chickens.
Just curious.

 

[sourland]

Check your roosts. This is usually a sign of red mite infestation.

 

[rstampa]

No mites, no bugs. Only do this at night and only one bird at a time not all at the same time. Each night a different bird. I have DE in their coop, run, nest box and feed.

 

[sourland]

Red mites only come out of the crevices at night, and you need a light to spot them. The efficacy of DE is highly questionable. Ivermectin is highly effective.

 

[Toast n Jelly]

You can spot red mites during the day if you check for tiny circles of black on the roosts and walls. Smash them with your thumb and they'll turn red (blood). DE is highly effective on them if you use it directly on the surfaces consistantly for a few days to a week. I know as that's what I used every time that I had the problem as well as a dose of Ivermectin. Check closely.