Mites On Chickens: How To Spot, Treat And Prevent Them

Mites On Chickens

Mites are one of the most common and frustrating problems chicken keepers face. These tiny parasites cause irritation, blood loss, stress and, if left untreated, serious health issues. From red mites to scaly leg mites, understanding the different types, how to treat them, and how to keep them away is essential for any keeper.

In this guide, we’ll cover the main types of poultry mites, the signs of infestation, treatment options like sprays and powders, and steps to prevent future outbreaks.

What are chicken mites?

Chicken mites are small parasitic creatures that feed on chickens’ blood, skin or feather debris. There are several species, each with different behaviours and impacts on your birds. Collectively known as poultry mites, they can be a nightmare for flock health if not managed effectively.

Some mites, like red mites, hide in crevices and emerge at night. Others, like northern fowl mites, live permanently on the chicken. Scaly leg mites burrow under the scales of the legs and feet, causing deformity and pain.

You might also hear them called hen mites, chook mites, or simply chicken mites on chickens. Whatever the term, action is needed fast.

Mite comparison chart

Here’s a quick summary of the most common mites:

Mite Type	Where They Live	Key Symptoms	Season Most Active
Red Mites	Coop, hide during day	Pale combs, blood spots, stress	Summer
Northern Fowl Mites	On the bird full-time	Dark clumps around vent, feather loss	Autumn/Winter
Scaly Leg Mites	Under leg scales	Raised crusty scales, lameness	Year-round

Common types of mites in chickens

There are three main types of mites UK keepers need to watch for:

• Red mites: These live in the coop and feed at night. During the day they hide in cracks and corners. Infestations can grow rapidly and are often discovered due to pale combs, stress or blood spots on eggs.
• Northern fowl mites: These live on the bird full time and appear as dark clumps around the vent and under wings. They’re more common in colder months.
• Scaly leg mites: These burrow under the leg scales, causing them to lift and become crusty. If left untreated, they can cause permanent damage.

How to spot an infestation

Look out for these signs:

• Chickens reluctant to enter the coop or roost at night
• Pale combs and wattles (signs of anaemia)
• Blood spots on eggs or perches
• Feathers appearing ragged or pulled out
• Raised, crusty leg scales (for scaly leg mites)
• Visible clumps or specks on feathers or skin
• Chickens looking agitated, scratching or dust bathing excessively

A quick inspection of perches at night with a torch may reveal red mites crawling.

Treatment methods: pros and cons

Method	Pros	Cons
Sprays	Fast-acting, easy to apply to coop surfaces	May require reapplication, coop must be dry
Powders	Good for direct application to birds	Can be messy, avoid inhalation
Natural dust baths	Chickens self-treat, preventative	Needs dry weather and regular top-up
Diatomaceous Earth	Natural, long-lasting, multipurpose	Irritant if inhaled, not effective when damp
Scaly leg ointments	Targets leg mites effectively	Requires repeat applications

Treating mites on chickens

Early and thorough treatment is key. In my experience, the biggest mistake new keepers make is only treating the birds without addressing the coop itself. Depending on the mite type, options include:

• Sprays and powders: Poultry Shield, Smite, and diatomaceous earth are commonly used. These can be applied directly to birds (check labels) and around the coop.
• Chicken mite powder: Ideal for direct treatment of red and fowl mites.
• Spray for mites on chickens: Especially useful in tight corners or infested perches.
• Scaly leg mite ointments: Treat legs over several weeks.
• Poultry mite treatment products: Many keepers rotate sprays and powders for best results.
• Natural dust baths: Provide access to fine sand, dry soil and wood ash to allow self-treatment.

I also recommend full coop disinfection with a suitable poultry-safe product. Replace bedding, treat all cracks and seams, and repeat as necessary. If you have a wooden coop roof with a tarpaulin or similar waterproof cover, you might find some mites have found a home between the cover and the wooden roof.

Can chicken mites affect humans?

While mites don’t live on humans, they can bite and cause skin irritation. Always wear gloves and long sleeves when treating infestations, and wash exposed skin afterwards. If bites persist, seek medical advice.

In some cases, particularly with red mites, the parasites can be brought into the home on clothing, footwear or equipment. While they cannot live on people, they may hide in furnishings or floorboards and bite at night when chickens are not available. If this occurs, hot-wash contaminated clothing, thoroughly clean affected areas, and consider pest control if the issue persists.

Preventing mite infestations

Prevention is easier than treatment. Personally, I always recommend integrating mite control into your regular coop maintenance routine rather than waiting for a problem to appear. Here’s how to reduce your risk:

• Keep the coop clean and dry
• Use Poultry Shield or a similar product during regular cleaning
• Provide dust bathing areas year-round
• Check new birds before introducing them
• Monitor perches and nest boxes regularly
• Avoid overcrowding and ensure ventilation
• Use mite-repelling herbs like mint or lavender in nest boxes

Routine dusting and vigilance are the best defence.

Frequently asked questions

Q: When are chicken mites most active?
Red mites are most aggressive in warm weather, especially summer. Northern fowl mites are more common in cold months.

Q: Can red mites kill chickens?
Yes. In severe cases, red mites can cause anaemia, stress, and even death if not treated.

Q: Are chicken mites and lice the same?
No. Mites feed on blood or burrow under skin, while lice feed on feather debris. Treatments are different.

Q: How often should I treat my coop for mites?
As a preventative, treat at least every 4–6 weeks. During an infestation, treat weekly until resolved.

Q: Can I eat eggs from hens with mites?
Yes, but always wash hands and inspect eggs for signs of blood or mite activity.

Final thoughts

Mites on chickens can be distressing, but with early detection and the right treatment, your flock can recover quickly. In my experience, it’s the regular checks and seasonal deep cleans that make the biggest difference in keeping infestations under control. Use this guide to take action, and refer to our detailed mite-specific posts for deeper advice.

Next steps: Read our other post on specific types of mites.

• Scaly Leg Mite In Chickens: How To Spot, Treat And Prevent It
• How to identify and treat red mite infestations
• Northern fowl mite explained
• Chicken dust bath guide
• Essential first aid kit for chickens
• An academic paper about red mite infestation can be found on the US National Library of Medicine website.