External parasites are one of the most common backyard chicken problems — and one of the easiest to miss until birds are really suffering. Catch them early and they’re simple to clear.
Signs of mites or lice
- Birds scratching, restless on the roost, or reluctant to enter the coop at night.
- Pale comb and wattles, weight loss, and a drop in laying.
- Dirty-looking feathers and clusters of tiny eggs at the base of feathers, especially around the vent.
- Crawling specks you can see — check at night, when red mites come out to feed.
The main culprits
- Red mite — hides in coop cracks by day, feeds at night. The coop, not the bird, is the battleground.
- Northern fowl mite — lives on the bird full-time; worst around the vent.
- Scaly leg mite — burrows under leg scales, making them crusty and raised.
- Lice — pale, fast-moving; lay egg clusters at feather bases.
Treating an infestation
- Treat the birds with a poultry-approved dust or spray (permethrin-based). Repeat in 7–10 days to catch newly hatched eggs.
- Strip and clean the coop — remove bedding, scrub, and treat cracks and roost ends where red mites hide.
- Scaly leg mite: smother the legs with petroleum jelly to block the mites; repeat weekly.
Prevention
- Give a dry dust-bathing area — birds de-bug themselves.
- Keep bedding clean and dry; do regular coop checks.
- Quarantine new birds for two weeks before adding them to the flock.
Persistent or severe cases — or any sick-looking bird — warrant a vet. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice.