I’ve been around chickens for a while—my mom used to keep a few when I was a kid. Though I love to watch them feeding and dust bathing, one thing that is most annoying is mites or lice around them.
Those parasites are real discomfort for not only flocks but for growers alike.
Ignoring these mites or lice can cause illness and death in some cases.
While there are different treatments available to get rid of chicken mites, as a urban homesteader I prefer natural ways to remove these small parasites.
Not just for flocks, natural treatment is your environment, and for anyone consuming eggs from your chicken.
If your chicken is affected by lice, then first thing you’ll notice is little bugs under feathers, around neck and around your hand when holding flock. Lice may crawl on you but they won’t live on you. These small parasites are bird specific.
Chickens mites can be found in coop, in the nesting boxes and the roost bars, which suck blood of your chicken at night.
For a quick treatment you can use products like Elector PSP, but for natural ways use garlic juice, neem oil, coop mite spray and diatomaceous earth powder.
Along with these regularly clean coop and arrange dust bath to naturally prevent parasites.
Difference between Mites and Lice
Chicken mites and lice may seem similar at the first glance, but they are different parasites and have different affect on your flocks.
It is important to understand the key difference, so you can effectively address.
- Mites are external parasites with 8 legs and dark or bright red in color depending on the type. Chicken mites can be found in coop and roost bars. These small parasites feed on your flock blood causing significant health problems due to blood loss and irritation.
- Larger than mites, chicken lice has 6 legs. It can be seen around chicken neck, under feathers and dead skin. You might notice them crawling on your hand when holding chicken. Unlike mites, they are more active during day and lay eggs under chicken feathers.
Also Read: How Cold Is Too Cold For Chickens?
How Mites and Lice Are Transmitted in Chickens?
Mites and lice are commonly transmitted to chickens through various pathways, making it essential to understand how these pests spread.
One of the main sources of infestation is wild birds, such as sparrows and pigeons, which often carry mites and lice.
When these birds come into contact with chicken coops or feeding areas, they can easily transfer the pests to your flock.
Another significant way mites and lice spread is by introducing new chickens into your flock without proper quarantine.
Even healthy-looking birds can carry these parasites, which quickly spread to others.
Additionally, contaminated equipment, bedding, and nesting boxes are common carriers of mites and lice. If not regularly cleaned, these items can harbor parasites and lead to reinfestation.
Direct contact between chickens, especially when roosting or grooming, also facilitates the spread of mites and lice.
Humans, too, can unknowingly transfer these pests on their clothing, shoes, or hands after handling infested birds or equipment.
In some cases, mites such as red mites live within the coop itself, hiding in cracks during the day and emerging at night to feed on chickens.
Regular inspections, proper bio-security measures, and thorough coop maintenance are essential to preventing the transmission of mites and lice, ensuring the health and well-being of your flock.
Common Types of Chicken Mites
Mites come in different species, each with unique behaviours and threats to your chickens.
- Red Roost Mites: These are blood-sucking parasites that hide in the coop during the day and feed on chickens at night, causing anemia and restlessness.
- Northern Fowl Mites: These mites live their entire life cycle on chickens and can quickly cause an infestation. They are especially common in cold weather.
- Scaly Leg Mites: These mites burrow under the scales of a chicken’s legs and feet, leading to discomfort, thickened skin, and even lameness if untreated.
Common Types of Chicken Lice
Chicken lice are also varied, and while they don’t feed on blood like mites, they can cause significant irritation.
- Body Lice: These lice live among the feathers and feed on skin scales. They reproduce quickly, laying eggs (nits) at the base of feathers.
- Wing Lice: As their name suggests, these lice favor the wings and cause irritation as they feed on feathers.
- Head Lice: These lice target the head and neck area, especially on younger chickens.
Also Read: Why Are My Chickens Laying Small Eggs?
How Chicken Mites and Lice Affect Your Flock?
An infestation of mites or lice can severely impact your flock’s health and productivity. Some of the common effects include:
- Irritation and Discomfort: Mites and lice cause constant itching and irritation, leading to stress and decreased egg production.
- Feather Loss: Chickens with lice or mites often pull out their feathers, either from stress or as a result of the pests feeding on them.
- Anemia: Blood-sucking mites can cause anemia, leading to pale combs, weakness, and a general decline in health.
- Weight Loss: The constant stress and irritation can lead to reduced appetite and weight loss.
- Infection: Open sores from scratching can invite secondary infections, further compromising the chicken’s health.
- Death: In severe cases, especially with red mites or northern fowl mites, the blood loss can be enough to kill a chicken, particularly young or weak birds.
Check this: 70 Things Chickens Can Eat
How to Get Rid of Chicken Mites and Lice Naturally
If you discover mites or lice in your flock, taking immediate action is crucial to prevent further spread and health issues. Here are some effective natural methods for getting rid of these pests:
1. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is a popular and natural way to combat both mites and lice. Made from fossilized algae, DE is non-toxic but deadly to insects due to its sharp particles, which cut through the exoskeletons of mites and lice, dehydrating and killing them.
- Application: Dust your chickens, especially under their wings and around the vent area. Also, sprinkle DE in nesting boxes, bedding, and around the coop.
- Precaution: Be careful when applying DE as it can irritate your lungs and eyes, as well as those of your chickens.
2. Wood Ash
Wood ash, from untreated hardwoods, works similarly to diatomaceous earth. Chickens naturally take dust baths, and adding wood ash to their dust bath area helps kill mites and lice. The fine ash suffocates the pests and helps soothe your chickens’ skin.
- Application: Add wood ash to your chickens’ favourite dust bathing spots, or create a designated dust bath area with a mix of wood ash and soil.
3. Garlic and Vinegar Spray
Garlic has natural insecticidal properties, and when combined with vinegar, it creates an effective spray for chicken mites and lice.
- Recipe: Crush several cloves of garlic and mix them with apple cider vinegar. Let it steep for 24 hours, strain, and dilute with water.
- Application: Spray this mixture directly on the chickens and in their coop, focusing on roosts and nesting areas where mites like to hide.
4. Herbs and Essential Oils
Certain herbs and essential oils are natural repellents for mites and lice. Some of the most effective include:
- Lavender and Mint: Both repel mites and lice. You can hang sprigs of these herbs in the coop or crush the leaves and sprinkle them in nesting areas.
- Tea Tree Oil: This essential oil has strong antifungal and insecticidal properties. Dilute it with water and spray it in the coop and on the chickens.
5. Neem Oil
Neem oil is a powerful, all-natural insecticide that is safe for use around chickens. It disrupts the reproductive cycle of mites and lice and is also effective against other pests.
- Application: Mix neem oil with water and a few drops of dish soap, then spray it around the coop and on your chickens.
6. Cleaning and Coop Maintenance
Keeping the coop clean is one of the best ways to prevent and eliminate mites and lice. Regularly change bedding, clean the nesting boxes, and disinfect roosts.
- Deep Cleaning: Use a mixture of water, vinegar, and essential oils (like eucalyptus or peppermint) to scrub down the coop. Focus on cracks and crevices where mites might hide.
- Roost Inspection: Mites often hide in the crevices of roosts. Regularly inspect and treat roosting bars with diatomaceous earth, neem oil, or essential oil sprays.
7. Dust Baths
Encouraging dust bathing is one of the most natural ways chickens protect themselves from mites and lice. Make sure your chickens have access to a dry, sandy area for dust bathing, and enhance it by adding wood ash or diatomaceous earth.
Also Read: How to Keep Chickens from Getting Bored?
Conclusion
Chicken mites and lice can create havoc in chicken coop, fortunately natural methods like diatomaceous earth, neem oil, wood ash, and proper coop hygiene; you can help to remove them mites and lice effectively.
To prevent infestation, it is important to maintain a clean living environment for your flocks and regular inspection is needed to stop initial growth of these external parasites.
Dust bath are one of the natural way to fight parasite infestation. If your chicken coop doesn’t have one, then prepare it.
Khaja Moinuddin, a computer science graduate, finds joy in gardening and homesteading. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening, and composting