Red mite

When owning chickens you make come across or hear about red mite. Red mite is a blood feeling parasite that attack resting birds at night these mites no not live on the hens and during the day they will hide from sunlight in small cracks and crevices. Red mite can cause loss of feathers, decrease in egg production and can even cause anaemia in a badly effected flock.

There are treatments for red mite in the form of power and sprays. If you come across red mite try to eliminate the problem as soon as possible as red mite can live up to 10 months in a empty coop.

A close up picture of red mite: