The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Greenerlife on September 15, 2011, 10:19:40 pm

Title: Are mites normal?
Post by: Greenerlife on September 15, 2011, 10:19:40 pm
Not red mites, but my chicken house has loads and loads of little black jumping tiny mites.  Is this normal?  Should I be doing anything about it?  I put powder down every time I clean out for red mite, ut not sureif this does anything for these little things. 
Title: Re: Are mites normal?
Post by: northfifeduckling on September 16, 2011, 07:52:29 am
if you look closely you might find that they have wings? I find them here specially in the duck house (only with my glasses on I can see the wings  ::))  not so many with the chickens. Don't think they do much harm. If they don't have wings they might be fleas? Rather not have those...Diatom should keep them under control, too.
Title: Re: Are mites normal?
Post by: tizaala on September 16, 2011, 09:07:31 am
If you spray them the bodies will fall to the floor and be picked up by the chooks then the poison will then be ingested , so be carefull .
Title: Re: Are mites normal?
Post by: Greenerlife on September 16, 2011, 10:47:52 am
Hmmm.  They look a bit like fruit flies - definitely with wings.  the hens seem to peck and eat them when I am cleaning out.
Title: Re: Are mites normal?
Post by: northfifeduckling on September 16, 2011, 10:55:34 am
same here, when they hear me opening the duckies' nesting boxes the hens come running for their treat!  :chook: :&>