Lice and Mites in Chicken Coop? 5 Treatment Tips to Get Rid of Them!

If you see chickens itching, and preening more than usual, pesky pests like lice and mites are mostly to blame! These unwanted visitors can make poultry life measurable and decrease egg production and overall health.

Now, what causes Lice and Mites in Chicken Coop? Lice and mites bother chickens because the coop gets dirty and crowded, or when wild birds visit. To keep them away, clean the coop often, make sure it’s not too crowded, and let chickens take dust baths. Also, you can use special baths with diatomaceous earth or safe bug sprays.

Don’t worry, getting rid of lice and mites doesn’t have to be a nightmare. There are simple treatments you can use to clear out your coop! Let’s find out!

What Do Lice and Mites Look Like in Chicken Coop?

Lice and Mites in Chicken Coop are quite small. So, it can be a little difficult to detect them. However, the following ideas can help you detect them.

• Lice: These are easier to spot than mites. They are beige or straw-colored, flat insects with 6 legs and a round head. They tend to live near the base of feathers, especially close to the vent area.
• Mites: These are harder to see with the naked eye. Some mite species are light-colored when unfed. But they may turn reddish after feeding on your chickens’ blood. They might be visible along feather shafts or around roosts. It’s particularly at night when they come out to feed.

How Do Chickens Get Lice and Mites?

Lice and mites don’t come to the poultry coop easily. Chickens often get lice and mites from wild birds.

Mice, rats, raccoons, coyotes, and other local wildlife can also introduce these pests into your yard. If you’ve recently added new chickens to your flock, they might bring lice or mites with them.

Sharing equipment or coop materials with other chicken owners can unknowingly transfer lice and mites.

While lice and mites won’t live on humans, you could unknowingly carry them on your clothes or shoes. This is how such bugs visit the coop.

8 Symptoms of Lice and Mites in Chicken Coop: How Do You Know Your Chickens Have This?

Your chickens won’t be able to tell you they’re itchy. So, look for several signs to understand mites and lice infestation –

1. Increased scratching and preening of chickens. 
2. Feather damage leads to bald patches, broken feathers, and a generally ragged appearance.
3. Disrupt sleep and overall well-being, leading to sluggish or withdrawn chickens.
4. Pale combs and wattles can indicate anemia caused by blood loss from mite feeding.
5. Scaly leg mites can cause thick, scaly skin on the legs.
6. Constant irritation and blood loss can take a toll on your chickens’ health. It leads to weight loss and a drop in egg production.
7. Lice and mites often concentrate around the vent area. Check for matted feathers, scabs, or droppings that might indicate an infestation.
8. Look for unusual behaviors like wing drooping, fluffed feathers, or a general sense of unease in your chickens.

Can lice make chickens sick?

Yes, lice can make chickens sick. It’s a different case! They may get sick if you constantly feed such pesky bugs. It irritates the skin, leading to scratching and potential wounds.

The lice and mites can weaken chickens and make them more susceptible to other diseases. In severe cases, lice infestations can cause anemia due to blood loss, as I said.

5 Lice and Mites on Chickens Treatment: How Do I Get Rid of It In My Coop?

Remember, lice and mites can be persistent. So, you need to be active to treat and prevent such bugs. Here are the prevention and treatment to follow –

1. Coop Cleaning

Take out all bedding, nesting materials, and roosts. Thoroughly scrape away any droppings or debris clinging to the coop walls and floor.

Scrub the entire coop with hot, soapy water to remove dirt, dust, and potential lice or mite eggs. Pay close attention to cracks and crevices where pests might hide.

After scrubbing, disinfect the coop using a poultry-safe disinfectant according to the product instructions. Let the coop dry completely before placing anything back inside.

How about vinegar? Will vinegar get rid of chicken mites? The best idea is a vinegar solution! Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 2 cups of water and spray it around the coop. The smell repels most bugs, including lice and mites.

Alternatively, add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a gallon of water for the same effect.

2. Treating the Chickens

Dust your chickens with DE or Diatomaceous Earth. It’s a natural powder that dehydrates and kills lice and mites. Be sure to use food-grade DE and avoid contact with eyes.

You can try olive oil footbath. Just fill a bowl with olive oil and immerse your chicken’s legs entirely. Leave them there for at least 15 minutes to allow the oil to penetrate the skin and suffocate the mites. Repeat daily until the pests are gone.

Several poultry-safe insecticide sprays are available to target lice and mites directly on your chickens. Follow application instructions carefully, ensuring proper ventilation and avoiding contact with eyes.

Use a poultry-safe coop spray to treat the coop itself, targeting areas where mites might hide, like cracks, crevices, and around roosts.

3. Repeat and Monitor

Lice and mite life cycles can take a few weeks. It’s crucial to repeat the treatment on your chickens and the coop. It must be at recommended intervals (usually 7-10 days) to break the life cycle and ensure complete eradication.

Monitor your chickens closely for signs of improvement and continued absence of lice and mites.

4. Isolate New Additions

When introducing new chickens to your flock, isolate them initially. This prevents the spread of any external parasites they might carry.

Related Reads:

• DIY Poultry Coop Spray that Works
• Dropping Boards for Chickens

5. Additional Tips

Chickens naturally control lice and mites with dust baths. Ensure your coop has a designated area with dust, sand, or ash for them to bathe in.

If you ask, how do you get rid of lice on chickens naturally? Neem oil, and essential oils (e.g., lavender, tea tree) in controlling external parasites can be quite effective!

Also, seal any holes or gaps in your coop to prevent wild birds and rodents from entering.

Overall, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a holistic approach to managing pests like lice and mites. It combines various strategies to minimize infestations while minimizing the use of chemicals.

It actually includes cleaning, monitoring, and preventative measures.

See the video to get more help with removing lice and mites from the chicken coop.

FAQs

You might still have some queries in mind. No worries!  This FAQ section dives deeper into some common concerns chicken owners face when dealing with these pesky poultry parasites.

Summary

Keeping the chicken coop clean and not too crowded is key to keeping lice and mites away. Regular checks and treatments with special baths or sprays are important to keep the chickens healthy.

So, staying on top of coop cleanliness and bug checks is vital to ensure your feathered friends. It’ll help them to cluck and peck without any pesky pests bothering them. Let them be comfortable without such pesky bugs in their house!