Why now is the time to hang a red mite test in the chicken coop

The mite season is upon us. We are already receiving calls from chicken enthusiasts who are having problems with mites. Yes, even in the week following the extremely cold weather. This is because the eggs can survive freezing cold temperatures. And after the freezing weather, the temperature immediately rose to 10 °C, which is when the eggs hatch. That is why it is now time to test your chicken coop for mites.

How does a red mite test work?

Mites emerge from their hiding places at night and walk up the body of the chicken or bird via its legs to suck its blood. When they have had enough, they walk back the same way and look for the closest hiding place. Mites like small dark spaces where they will not be eaten by chickens. A red mite test kit consists of a tube with a little stick inside. This tube should be hung as close as possible to where the chickens spend the night, e.g. beneath the perch. As it happens, mites seek a hiding place as close to the chickens as possible after they have sucked their blood. A place the chicken cannot reach, because otherwise it will be eaten. Because the mite test tube is closer than the nooks and crannies, the mite will build its nest inside the tube. Chicken enthusiasts can remove the wooden stick every week or every day to check for mites. That is the quickest way to identify a mite infestation. The quicker, the better. Because did you know that a fully-grown mite lays 8 eggs a day? That is why it is so important to act as quickly as possible in the case of a mite infestation.

What should I do if I see mites on the test stick?

You can decide the appropriate treatment based on the number of mites on the stick (see the table below). Then clean the stick with warm water and insert it back into the tube.

Number of mites on the stick	Infestation	Strategy
0	None	– Use Finecto+ Protect for preventative protection of the environment
1 to 10	Mild	– Treat the fully-grown mites with Finecto+ Oral for 14 days via the feed. – Treat the hatching eggs and young mites by spreading Finecto+ Protect in the environment.
More than 10	Severe	– Clean the whole living area with plenty of water (preferably with a high-pressure hose). – Treat the fully-grown mites with Finecto+ Oral for 14 days (or longer) via the feed. – Treat the hatching eggs and young mites by spreading Finecto+ Protect in the environment. – Repeat the steps above after 4 weeks.

As you can see, we advise combining both Finecto+ products if you find mites. This is because the spray targets the young mites and the powder targets the fully-grown mites. You will not reach all the mites unless you use this combination. Under no circumstances should you put garlic in the water. Garlic results in the mites only sucking blood once the hunger becomes too intense. Blood sucking is thus delayed (not prevented). With Finecto+ Oral, on the other hand, you want the mite to suck blood, because that is the only way the mite ingests the blood it cannot digest. Garlic delays this process. Finally, it is useful to know that if you mix Finecto+ Oral into the feed and there are already mites in the hutch, there is a strong likelihood that you will suddenly see more mites during the day. Do not be alarmed, as this is the appropriate response. The mite panics because it can no longer digest blood and lay eggs. As a result, it seeks digestible food during the day too. An additional benefit is that the chicken eats the mites it sees during the day.

How do I prevent mites?

It is virtually impossible to prevent mites completely. They are often transferred to the chicken hutch via wild birds. That is why it is important to make the chicken hutch as unattractive to mites as possible. You do this by taking the following measures:

• Hang a mite test kit up and check it every week
• Spray Finecto+ Protect on the route the mites travel to the chickens (start with the nooks and crannies and include the perch) every 3 to 4 weeks
• Ensure the hutch remains dry. Air out the hutch well every now and then.
• Create a sand bath for the chickens with fine, dry sand.

Where can you buy the mite test kit?

In short, now is the time to hang up a mite test tube. A small effort that produces a big benefit. The Finecto mite test kit is available at our webshop. You get two test sticks for €4.95. Cable ties are included. All you need do is hang up the sticks. Prevention is better than cure.