RED MITES

cause irritation, blood loss, which runs down a bird’s immune system, and carry diseases. Over time, they can be deadly due to anaemia, and their effect on a bird’s overall health.

Occurrence: common, can occur all year-round if it’s warm and humid enough. Can survive in the environment for up to 9 months after all birds have been removed from a coop. Mite eggs can remain viable for up to 2 years.

Where they’re found: on coop surfaces, perches, and in nests, cracks, and gaps in coop walls. They move onto poultry at night, staying on a bird for an hour or two before moving back to their hiding spot.

What they look like: tiny (just under 1mm), bright red (when they’ve fed), grey ash-like ‘dust’ that turns red when smeared (mites that haven’t fed).