The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Jukes Mum on July 18, 2014, 09:01:35 pm

Title: Lice? Mites?
Post by: Jukes Mum on July 18, 2014, 09:01:35 pm
Been in the chicken hut and come out covered in lice/mites! Any ideas what they are? The are tiny and really pale/straw coloured and were all clustered around the main door of the coop (not the bob hole). I have deep cleaned the hut, doused it in DE and louse powdered the hens. I had a good rummage through all the hens feathers, under their wings, around their bottoms and cound not see anything at all. Living in the hut i would assume that these are red mite, but aren't they red/dark coloured? I'm covered in them- straight in the shower!!! ???
Title: Re: Lice? Mites?
Post by: Greenerlife on July 18, 2014, 09:18:52 pm
Yep. Me too!  Mine are definitely not red mite - white and a bit bigger.  Doused everything last week, and it seems better but not perfect.  Will be jet washing this weekend (me and the hens!)
Title: Re: Lice? Mites?
Post by: Jukes Mum on July 18, 2014, 09:33:23 pm
How odd. If you find out what yours are- let me know!
Title: Re: Lice? Mites?
Post by: HesterF on July 18, 2014, 10:14:51 pm
Remember red mite are only red after they've eaten so don't discount them on the basis of colour.
Title: Re: Lice? Mites?
Post by: Jukes Mum on July 19, 2014, 10:28:41 am
Ah ha! that could explain it! It was late afternoon so they won't have been feasting on my beautiful girls for hours!