Mites and poultry lice are a natural part of every backyard- they travel on birds, rodents and other animals, so when your chickens become infested, it doesn’t mean you’re not keeping a clean coop, it simply means your chickens enjoy the Great Outdoors! Being able to identify each type external parasite is not important, but the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of an infestation and how to treat them is.

Bielefelder hen.

The following information may make you itch, but not knowing how to treat mites and lice effectively can have devastating consequences for chickens.

Some of the common signs of any type of mite or lice infestation in a chicken are: dirty-looking vent feathers, decreased activity or listlessness, a pale comb, changes in appetite, a drop in egg production, weight loss, feather-pulling, bald spots, redness or scabs on the skin, dull, ragged-looking feathers, crawling bugs on a chicken’s skin or nits on feathers.

COMMON EXTERNAL PARASITES in CHICKENS:
The two most common categories of external parasites in chickens are mites and poultry lice. Poultry lice are NOT the same as human head lice and people cannot contract lice from chickens.

MITES
Northern fowl mites and Red Roost Mites are two of the most common poultry mites. These tiny, eight-legged beasts can live both on the chicken and in the coop. Red roost mites are partial to cracks and crevices in wood, roosts and inside nesting boxes.

Mites can be grey, dark brown or reddish in color and can often be seen along feather shafts and underneath roosts after dark. Red roost mites are active at night when they venture out to leech blood from chickens. With its moist, rich blood supply, the vent area is a favorite feeding ground of mites.

(Northern fowl mite)

Mites on feather shafts and chicken’s skin

Typical signs of a mite infestation are scabs near the vent, eggs on the feathers and feather shafts and a light colored bird’s feathers may appear dirty in spots where the mites have left droppings and debris. A heavy mite infestation can lead to anemia and death of a chicken. Mites will bite humans, causing minor irritation in the affected area (and an urgent desire to take a gasoline shower).

(Lice eggs (nits) on feather shafts)

SCALY LEG MITES
Another common mite is the scaly leg mite, (Knemidokoptes mutans) which I discuss in detail here.

POULTRY LICE
Poultry lice are fast-moving, 6 legged, flat insects with round heads that live only on the chicken and its feathers. They are beige or straw colored and are typically found at the base of feather shafts near the vent. Poultry lice feed on dead skin and other debris such as feather quill casings. When parting the feathers near the vent to inspect for parasites, they can be seen briefly as they run away. The eggs laid by the female are seen at the bases of feather shafts.

New poultry lice infestation detected early. Note the absence of nits or debris on the feather shafts.

Poultry lice scurrying around the vent of a hen.

Chickens dust bathing

PREVENTION

Mites and lice are most commonly brought into chicken yards by wildlife, especially by wild birds. The use of best biosecurity practices, regular inspections, and vigilant observation will limit the damage they inflict.

• Clean coops regularly, disposing of loose feathers that can carry hatching eggs (nits).
• Limit visits from fellow poultry-keepers who can transport the creepy crawlies on their clothes, footwear or equipment, (vehicles, shared farm equipment, etc.).
• Do not attract wildlife to the chicken yard with the use of wild bird feeders.
• Secure chicken feed to prevent parasite and disease-carrying wildlife from visiting regularly.
• Do not introduce chickens into an existing flock that you have not raised as baby chicks from an NPIP certified hatchery.
• Provide adequate dusting areas for chickens to care for their own skin and feather health.

Mites and lice will not be repelled by herbs of any kind.

Never use food grade diatomaceous earth with chickens in any way. It is not an effective insecticide and is hazardous to hen health as well as being a known carcinogen in humans.

Never use food grade diatomaceous earth with chickens in any way. It is not an effective insecticide and is hazardous to hen health as well as being a known carcinogen in humans.

I NEVER use and do not recommend food grade diatomaceous earth for any purpose with chickens. A dust bath should never include food grade diatomaceous earth nor any other additive! Good sanitation practices, frequent flock inspections and providing ample access to sand for dust bathing are sufficient preventative measures without exposing the chickens or humans to the ever-present exposure to a carcinogenic respiratory hazard.
This Facebook follower of mine had to have her hen put to sleep from a severe mite infestation that she had been trying to control with DE, aka: food grade diatomaceous earth, which failed to work, predictably.

LICE & MITES TREATMENT

When lice or mites are found on one bird, the entire flock and coop must be treated. There are many different products available to eradicate mites and lice with varying degrees of effectiveness and safety, among them are:

• Elector® PSP
• Davis Pure Planet Poultry Spray
• Garden & Poultry Dust with Permethrin
• Prozap Garden & Poultry Dust
• Dog flea dips, flea shampoos (for temporary relief only)

**Treatment for lice and mites with most products must be repeated twice after the initial application in 7 day increments, in order to kill the eggs (nits) that had not hatched at the time of the previous treatments. This does not apply to Elector PSP, which is a one time application.**

Rotate treatment products to prevent the development of resistance by parasites (this does not apply to Elector PSP). With all methods except Elector PSP, the entire coop must be cleaned out and treated with particular attention paid to nests and roosts. With Elector PSP, the building can be treated directly with the birds inside it, but the presence of parasites is a good reason to clean out the coop anyway.

8 oz Elector PSP bottle