sezra Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 I have just been out to feed the chickens and saw two red 'things' that looked like what I called 'blood suckers' when I was a little girl. They were just crawling around on the paving outside the chicken run. If I wasn't a chicken owner (of only two and a half weeks! ) I wouldnt think twice about them but suddenly all I could think of was red mite! I squashed them, obviously and they were just red smudges. I can't see any in the Eglu Go but I was not taking any chances so I completely cleaned it out with poultry guard and then sprinkled loads of Diatom powder in and around it. What do you think? I had thought that red mites didnt like sunlight which has made me question what they are but being a complete novice in all matters chicken related I thought I would ask. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 Could they be red spider mite? Red spider mite are big enough to see fairly easily with the naked eye and are VERY bright red - almost luminous! They look exactly like miniature red spiders. I have seen an explosion in them in the last few weeks, mostly crawling all over my window sills. They are a complete nuisance to gardeners but harmless to chooks. Red mite are teeny tiny critters that hide in cracks and crevices in the poultry housing and come out at night to feed on the chickens. Much harder to see with the naked eye. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 Almost certainly red spider mite from what you say, and from the measures you have taken, I doubt anything wuld stand a chance! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roobaloo Posted June 23, 2010 Share Posted June 23, 2010 I agree, they could be spider mites! If their legs are all at the front end of the body...then it's more likely to be a true red mite. (last pair of legs tend not to be further than half way down the body...if that makes sense!) If the legs are positioned the whole length of the body, it's probably a spider mite. (last pair of legs can be seen behind the main abdomen) This might not 100%...just how I always assume it to be!!! If I can find some images to give a better description, I'll add them!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sezra Posted June 23, 2010 Author Share Posted June 23, 2010 If the legs are positioned the whole length of the body, it's probably a spider mite. I think I remember them being all around their body before I squished them! Thank everyone, I feel a bit less concerned now. I did think that I would be very unlucky to get them after only a couple of weeks but if they come from garden birds I suppose it makes no difference. If nothing else it has reminded me to spray the inside of the eglu once a week with the Poultry Shield! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
