Chicken Mites and Lice: How to Prevent Them in Your Flock (2024)

I remember the very first time we raised chickens. I wasn't 'all in', for a few different reasons. First of all, our herd was fully grown when we got them. We didn't start from the girls' phase. They weren't the cute fluff balls we could play with and get to know their personalities. So of course we didn't have that bond. Secondly, they were so smelly, dirty and dusty that none of these things appealed to me. Finally I read about chicken mites and lice. (Everyone pauses and takes a deep breath). I was shocked to think of tiny microscopic insects crawling around and possibly getting one of us or our children! Ewwww. Fortunately, I now know that chicken mites and lice do not survive on humans. Wow! But by then I had decided that maybe I just wasn't cut out to be this "crazy girl lady."

Fast forward to where I am today. I love my pack and honestly can't spend enough time in the yard cuddling, talking and just watching their crazy behavior. I wear this "crazy chicken lady" badge as a badge of honor! What changed? Education for one. I know so much more about these beautiful birds. We also moved our flock out of the chick stage, which is a game changer. But to be completely honest, my feathered relatives can still be smelly and create a lot of dust! Although I'm getting used to the backyard chicken area, the little critters I still don't want to deal with are mites and lice!

What are mites and lice in chickens?

Did you know that mites and lice are parasites and survive by feeding on other creatures like our chickens? Poultry lice are easily recognized by their straw-colored body, round shape and six small legs. These little creatures tend to hang out at the base of a chicken's feathers, close to their air vents. On the other hand, chicken mites are initially light in color but turn red after feeding. Some mites are so small that they are almost invisible. That's why it's important to pay attention to symptoms and take preventative measures.

Symptoms of mites and lice in chickens:

If you notice that you have mites or lice, take steps to remove them. If left untreated, they can cause a variety of health problems or even death. Watch out for these symptoms!

How to prevent mites and lice

Preventing mites and lice is simple. Here are four simple steps to keep your chicken mites and lice free.

1. Keep your house clean and tidy.One of the most important things you can do to prevent mites and lice is to keep your home clean and tidy. This means that you should regularly remove feces and dirt from the sleeping area and clean any bedding or nesting material regularly. Also check for signs of infestation, such as small white or black dots on your chickens' skin or feathers, or irritated skin. Check out my favorite way to keep my chicken coop clean, thedeep soil method.

2. Provide your chickens with an area with a dust bath.Dust bathing is a natural behavior for chickens, keeping them clean and free of parasites. By providing a dedicated dust bathing area you can help your flock maintain good hygiene.Creating a dust bathSimply find a sunny spot in your garden and fill it with sand, soil and wood ash. Your chickens will instinctively roll in the mixture, keeping them free of mites and lice.

3. Don't expose your flock to other birds.Mites and lice can easily spread from one flock to another, so it is important to prevent your chickens from being exposed to other birds. This means confining your birds in a secure home and allowing them to run, and avoiding contact with wild birds or other flocks of chickens in the backyard.

4. Use diatomaceous earth wood ash to treat the garden and dust bath.Diatomaceous earth and wood ash can be effective in killing and preventing parasites in your chicken coop and dust bath. Diatomaceous earth is a natural product made from fossil algae that is safe for chickens but deadly for mites and lice. All you need to do is sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the yard, nest boxes and in the dust bath. You can also add some wood ash to the dust bath, which can help dry it out and kill any remaining parasites.

To further prevent mites and lice, let me introduce you to my favorite dust bath additive:Preen Queen™.This great product helps keep your chickens' feathers clean and oil-free by absorbing excess moisture and odors (which attract mites and lice!)Preen Queencontains natural ingredients such as zeolite, diatomaceous earth, peppermint and citronella essential oils to keep their feathers clean and pristine.

Until next time,

- The wing lady