Red mites on chickens the same as in compost pile?

[Backyard Hencam]

I had no idea there were so many kinds of mites......some I know only attack fuchias and many gardeners complain about these and now I know that the compost bin and worm bin mites are obviously going to stay there and not inhabit my coop.

I once heard the story of the folks who suddenly had trouble getting their hens to roost in their henhouse. For three days they caught the hens, forced them into the henhouse and locked them in. On the third night, they took a flashlight out to the coop and low and behold, the hens were covered with mites that hadn't been visible during the day. They had to do major work to rid the henhouse of these critters.

Thanks for the great information!

 

[MaureenL128]

I just found this topic again because I have a question. I was just out in the coop and did my daily spot poop cleaning and when i went to throw it on my plants, i looked at the board and saw little red bugs. I spotted only 2 or 3 of them but are they harmful to my girls? I haven't seen any on their legs or face. I have seen these little guys in the past when i have cleaned up their poop. Are they just attracted to the poo or are they gonna go after my girls? I have yet to use DE in the coop but I think I shold go pick some up today just to be safe. Any suggestions would be helpful. Thanks everyone!