Claire Thompson
Chicken mites, scientifically known as Dermanyssus gallinae, are parasitic poultry mites with a large range of hosts, including several species of wild birds and mammals. They are ectoparasites that feed on the blood of chickens and various other avian species. They are typically reddish in colour after a blood meal, but can also be yellowish-brown, white, grey, or black. They are tiny, measuring between 0.5 and 1mm in length, and have an oval body shape. Chicken mites hide in nests, cracks, crevices, and litter when they are not feeding. They are most active at night, when they come out to feed on their hosts, and prefer warm, humid environments with poor ventilation. Northern fowl mites, on the other hand, are darker in colour and spend their entire life cycle on the chicken, unlike chicken mites, which do not. This key difference can be used to distinguish between the two types of mites.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common name | Northern red mites, Northern fowl mites, red mites, chicken mites, roost mites, poultry mites |
| Scientific name | Ornithonyssus sylviarum |
| Host | Birds |
| Habitat | Cracks and crevices in chicken coops, perches, nesting boxes, and litter |
| Feeding time | Day and night |
| Colour | Red after feeding on blood |
| Life stages | Egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, adult |
| Life cycle duration | 7-10 days |
| Egg-laying capacity | 30 eggs in a lifetime |
| Egg-laying duration | 8 weeks |
| Survival without feeding | 9 months |
| Survival temperature | Below 111°F |
| Survival humidity | Low humidity |
| Pest control | Insecticides, acaricides, spinosad, Exzolt, silica dust, carbolineum, ectoparasiticides, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, diatomaceous earth, wood ash, steam cleaning |
| Symptoms in birds | Skin irritation, stress, reduced egg production, weight loss, anaemia, mortality |
| Symptoms in humans | Itching, dermatitis, pruritus, papular urticaria, allergic reactions |
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What You'll Learn
- Northern red mites live on chickens 24/7, red chicken mites only at night
- Red chicken mites hide in cracks and crevices in the day, northern red mites don't
- Red chicken mites are red after feeding, northern red mites are grey/white
- Red chicken mites are harder to eradicate, with more welfare implications
- Northern red mites are less common on chickens
Northern red mites live on chickens 24/7, red chicken mites only at night
Red mites are ectoparasites that feed on the blood of chickens and various other avian species. They are often referred to as chicken mites, poultry mites, or roost mites. There are two types of mites that are commonly found on chickens: northern fowl mites and red mites.
Northern fowl mites spend their entire lifecycle on chickens, day and night. They are flat, oval, and white to greyish in colour before feeding, turning reddish-brown after consuming blood. They are about 0.75-1mm long, with long legs.
On the other hand, red mites typically feed on chickens at night and hide in the coop environment during the day. They are tiny and difficult to see, but they can be found in small groups in cracks and crevices of the chicken coop. They are also flat and oval, and white to greyish before feeding, turning red after a blood meal.
To differentiate between the two, look for mites on the chickens during the day. If you see mites on the chickens during daylight hours, they are likely northern fowl mites. If you only see mites at night, or see evidence of mites such as blood spots or mite excreta (which looks like cigarette ash) without seeing the mites themselves, then they are likely red mites.
Additionally, northern fowl mites are often found on the chicken's skin, feathers, and scales, whereas red mites tend to feed on the chicken's legs, where the scales end and the feathers begin, although they may also bite the skin on the breast or thigh areas.
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Red chicken mites hide in cracks and crevices in the day, northern red mites don't
Red mites, scientifically known as Dermanyssus gallinae, are blood-feeding ectoparasites that live in small cracks and crevices inside poultry houses. They are often found hiding in tongue and groove joints, and in the timber joints of chicken coops. They can also be found in the litter, around nest boxes, and in the grey dust on the floor.
Red mites come out at night to feed on chickens and turkeys, and sometimes other birds. They are most active at night, which can make detection and treatment challenging. They are attracted to the heat of the chickens' bodies and the CO2 in their breath. They can also bite humans, although they prefer birds.
During the day, red mites hide in cracks and crevices, away from light sources, where they mate and lay eggs. Their eggs hatch into larvae in 2-3 days, which turn into nymphs and then adults in less than a week. The complete life cycle is shortest during hot, humid weather and can be as short as 7-10 days.
Northern fowl mites, on the other hand, spend their entire life cycle on the chicken, both day and night. They do not hide in cracks and crevices during the day like red mites do.
To prevent and treat red mites, it is important to eliminate their hiding places. This can be done by using a steam cleaner to blast into crevices, or by using a pressure sprayer to apply a non-toxic biocidal detergent and degreaser, such as Smite Red Mite Liquid, to break down their habitat.
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Red chicken mites are red after feeding, northern red mites are grey/white
Red mites, scientifically known as Dermanyssus gallinae, are parasites that feed on the blood of chickens and live in small cracks inside poultry houses. They are not always bright red; instead, they turn red after consuming blood. Before feeding, they are white to greyish in colour.
Red mites are tiny, making detection challenging. They are most active at night, and can be found on perch ends, in crevices, and under roofing. They are often found hiding in tongue and groove joints. They are also attracted to the heat of chickens' bodies and the CO2 in their breath.
To check for red mites, look for colonies of mites and their excreta, which looks like cigarette ash, close to where birds roost at night. You can also use a torch to inspect dark areas, perches, nests, cracks, and the hens themselves at night. Another telltale sign is a build-up of grey dust in the coop, which is the detritus from the mites.
The life cycle of red mites starts as an egg, which hatches in 2 to 3 days. It then moults twice before becoming an adult red mite. The entire life cycle can be as short as a week. Female red mites can lay up to 300 eggs a week, and they can live for up to 9 months without feeding.
Northern fowl mites, on the other hand, are similar in appearance to red mites, but they spend their entire lifecycle on the chicken, day and night. They are also white to greyish in colour.
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Red chicken mites are harder to eradicate, with more welfare implications
Red mites, scientifically known as Dermanyssus gallinae, are blood-feeding ectoparasites that live in small cracks inside poultry houses. They come out at night to feed on the blood of chickens and turkeys, biting their hosts with specialised mouthparts to pierce the skin. They can also bite humans, although they prefer birds. Red mites are not species-specific and will feed on any type of bird.
Red mites are extremely prevalent in commercial flocks, and their rapid reproductive cycle makes them difficult to eradicate. The female mite can lay up to 300 eggs a week in cracks in chicken coops, perches, or nesting boxes. The complete mite life cycle is shortest during hot, humid weather, with a typical cycle during the summer lasting only 7-10 days. This short cycle can cause red mite infestations to grow very rapidly, and red mites can live for up to 9 months without a food source.
Red mite infestations can have significant welfare and egg production implications. Chickens enduring an infestation will exhibit stress-related behaviours, including increased levels of preening, head scratching, and feather pecking due to skin irritation from bites. In severe cases, birds may become anaemic, and their weakened state can make them more vulnerable to infection and disease. Infestations can also result in low egg production, weight loss, and even the death of the bird.
To eradicate red mites, it is essential to break their life cycle. This can be achieved by re-treating a mite infestation before any remaining adults can lay more eggs. Heating the henhouse to temperatures above 55 °C (131 °F) can also be effective, as red mites cannot exist in any environment over 111 °F. Chemical treatments, such as insecticides and ectoparasiticides, can be used to treat affected poultry, but these should be used in rotation to avoid the buildup of resistance.
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Northern red mites are less common on chickens
Northern red mites (also known as northern fowl mites) and red chicken mites (also known as poultry red mites) are two different species of mites that affect chickens. While both types of mites feed on the blood of chickens, there are some key differences between them that contribute to the lower prevalence of northern red mites on chickens.
One significant difference between the two types of mites is their life cycle and feeding habits. Poultry red mites have a rapid reproductive cycle, with females laying up to 300 eggs per week in cracks and crevices in chicken coops, perches, or nesting boxes. The entire life cycle, from egg to adult, can be completed in as little as 7-10 days, leading to quick infestations. Poultry red mites are nocturnal, feeding on blood at night when birds are roosting and hiding during the day. In contrast, northern fowl mites spend their entire life cycle on the chicken, remaining on the host day and night. This difference in life cycle and feeding habits may contribute to the lower prevalence of northern red mites on chickens, as poultry red mites' rapid reproduction and nocturnal feeding habits make them more likely to spread and cause infestations.
Another factor that makes poultry red mites more prevalent in chickens is their preference for warm, humid environments. Poultry red mites thrive in temperatures between 20-30°C with 70-90% humidity, which are typical conditions found in poorly ventilated hen houses with cracks and dark corners. Northern red mites, on the other hand, may be less common on chickens due to their preference for cooler temperatures.
Additionally, the appearance of the mites may also play a role in their prevalence. Poultry red mites are typically red after consuming blood, while northern red mites are smaller in size, measuring between 0.5-1mm. Their smaller size and reddish colour after feeding may make poultry red mites more noticeable on chickens, leading to earlier detection and treatment.
Furthermore, the methods of prevention and treatment for poultry red mites are well-documented due to their high prevalence in commercial flocks. Various preventative measures, such as regular cleaning, insect repellents, and treating wooden surfaces, are commonly recommended to control poultry red mite infestations. Effective treatments, including insecticides, predatory mites, and products like Exzolt and GAL O PAT, are also available to eradicate poultry red mites. The extensive knowledge and availability of treatments for poultry red mites may contribute to their higher prevalence compared to northern red mites.
Overall, the lower prevalence of northern red mites on chickens can be attributed to their distinct life cycle, feeding habits, environmental preferences, and the availability of prevention and treatment methods specific to poultry red mites.
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Frequently asked questions
Northern red mites tend to be darker than red mites, which are not red until they have fed on blood.
Red mites are about 0.5 to 1mm long, flat and oval-shaped, and white to greyish in colour before feeding. After consuming blood, they turn red.
Red mites hide in nests, cracks, crevices, and litter when they are not feeding.
