The mighty mite...

[Blackpuddingbertha]

Found red mite in the coop about 10 days ago when cleaning out. Only around the perch ends. Removed all I could find, sprayed perches & DE'd even more than I usually do. Hens were dusted twice too. This weekend there were no signs of any surviving mites in the coop so I thought we were ok. However, the hens are still plucking out feathers from various places. I was under the impression that red mite don't live on the bird so treating the coop would normally be enough to clear it.

I've read the other current mite thread - I haven't seen signs of any other infestation other than the red mite. Anything else I can do? Do I need to keep dusting the ladies?

I found a massive infestation of red mite in my coop a few weeks ago. DE seems to have cleared it finally!

My hens never plucked out any feathers though - perhaps your hens have more than one type of ectoparasite?

I'm going to have to have a closer look at them again aren't I? I didn't see anything on them when I dusted them before.

Off to google 'plucking out feathers'...

They're perfectly happy otherwise by the way, all perky and laying nicely.