Chicken Mites: How to Spot, Treat, and Prevent Them

Mites are the parasite most likely to surprise a backyard chicken keeper. They breed fast, hide well, and can crash a flock’s egg production and health if you miss them. The good news is that they’re fully manageable when you catch them early and treat the bird and the coop together.

Spotting a mite problem

• Hens reluctant to roost at night, or trying to roost elsewhere.
• Pale combs and wattles in birds that were previously bright.
• Tiny moving specks at the base of feathers, especially around the vent.
• Drop in egg production with no other obvious cause.
• Visible eggs or “dirt” clustered on roost bars.

Common mites and lice

• Northern fowl mite: Lives on the bird around the clock, often around the vent.
• Red roost mite: Lives in cracks and roost bars, comes out at night to feed. Vanishes during daytime checks.
• Scaly leg mite: Burrows under leg scales, making them lift and crust.
• Lice: Bigger, slower, usually found near vent and under wings.

Treating affected birds

Treatment options vary by region and changing best practice. The standard approach is a poultry-approved permethrin dust or spray, applied around the vent, under wings, and on the back, with a repeat treatment 7 to 10 days later to catch newly-hatched mites. Scaly leg mites respond to oiling the legs (mineral or vegetable oil) for several weeks.

Talk to a poultry vet or your local extension service before using stronger products. Withhold eggs from human consumption per the label.

Treating the coop

A bird-only treatment will fail if you don’t treat the coop too. Strip out and burn or bag the bedding. Scrub roost bars, nest boxes, and crevices. Treat the coop with a poultry-safe product, focusing on cracks where red mites hide. Repeat in 7 to 10 days.

Preventing reinfestation

• Provide a generous dust-bath area with dry soil or sand.
• Check vents and feathers monthly during warm months.
• Quarantine and inspect any new bird before introducing it.
• Keep wild bird visitors out of the coop and feeders.
• Replace deep bedding regularly rather than letting it pack.