How to Eliminate Wild Chicken Mites

Chickens can pick up mites from wild birds while out on pasture. The wild birds will use the dusting holes the chickens dig out for bathing. The birds shake off the mites when using the predug dust holes. The chickens reuse the dust baths and pick up the mites. Mites can live without birds as hosts, unlike lice, making this type of infestation more difficult to eradicate due to their ability to hide out in the coop as well as on the chickens. As blood-feeding pests, the mites cause severe irritation and health issues for the chickens.

Things You'll Need

Poultry insecticidal dust
Shop vacuum

Instructions

- 1
  Search near the chicken's skin for small (period-sized), dark brown, insects. Inspect the feather shafts as the mites crawl around the root and shaft of the feathers and for the tiny mite egg clusters. Look for crusty patches around the shaft base, the vent or face of the bird. Inspect the roosts for mites lodged in the cracks.
- 2
  Remove the water and food dishes and clean them in soapy water. Strip the chicken coop of all bedding and removable furniture (compost the bedding and clean the furniture with soapy water). Vacuum the entire coop being sure to reach all the corners and crevices. Apply a pyrethrin or similar agricultural insecticidal product designed for use in animal living quarters (never allow these chemicals near chicken food or water sources). Be sure the product is penetrating cracks and joints in the coop structure as this is where the mites hide out.
- 3
  Dust all of the birds with the poultry insecticidal product. Be sure to dust the neck, vent and underside thoroughly. Repeat dusting about 14 days later. Strip the coop and repeat the cleaning at 14 days. Add fresh bedding.
- 4
  Shower and wash your hair to remove any mites from your body (mites will not live on people). Wash all clothes that have been used in the cleaning process. Consult a veterinarian if the infestation is ongoing or is severe.