There are a few main types of mite which cause problems for poultry – northern fowl mites and scaly leg which live on the birds, and red mites which live in the environment.
Red mites – these are tiny mites which live in the environment, often in cracks in housing during the day. They are active at night, coming out to feed on poultry as they are roosting. They cause significant irritation, to the point where birds may start plucking their own feathers or may abandon their nests. To treat red mites involves treating the environment, cleaning the houses thoroughly and then disinfecting with a poultry-safe product. It is important to clean all aspects of the house, including perches and other accessories within the house.
Scaly Leg – this is caused by a mite which burrows into and lives under the scales on a chicken’s leg, causing inflammed, swollen and uncomfortable legs. With time the poultry’s legs will become bloody and crusty as scales are lifted away from the skin. This is a very contagious condition, any birds suffering should be immediately isolated for treatment. This generally involves gradual gentle removal of all surface scabbing to allow a suitable treatment to be applied. Never lift the scales on a bird’s leg – this is incredibly painful and may cause permanent damage. Birds kept in damp conditions will be predisposed to this, so check their house carefully incase of a problem.