Did you know that chickens eat red mites?
Yes, it's true, chickens eat red mites when they see them. That is also the reason why the red mite is active at night. Then the chickens are roosting and can suck blood undisturbed. Red mites are very clever because they will always build their nest in a place where the chicken cannot reach. Unless the red mite outbreak is so large that it cannot be avoided. But did you know that chickens can also contribute a bit to the treatment of red mites? In this blog, we explain how exactly and why it is therefore extra important to choose a natural treatment method.
Red mites
6 May '22 • 2 min reading time
Behavior of the Red Mite
Do you know the characteristics of the behavior of the red mite? They are clever parasites. By understanding how the red mite behaves, it is easier to treat. We have listed the main characteristics of the behavior of the red mite:
An adult red mite goes to the chicken to suck blood once every six days. A red mite needs blood to lay new eggs. The red mite is active at night (once every six days). They build nests as close as possible to the chicken where the chicken cannot reach, preferably in the dark. A red mite lays about 8 eggs per day. A red mite usually climbs up the chicken via the legs, unless the chicken is sitting on the nest. A red mite egg can wait up to three years to hatch.
As you can see above, the behavior of red mites is really clever. They are active when the chicken is sleeping and you do not see them during the day. This way, they can carry out their work undisturbed without being noticed. Only when they are in large numbers will they be visible to the naked eye. But by then, you are actually already too late to treat.
Chicken Helps with Treatment
As you know, chickens love insects. But did you also know that they enjoy parasites? Chickens prefer to eat them when they are an easy target. The herbs in natural supplements against red mites make the mites slower and cause them to search for blood that is digestible. As a result, red mites become active during the day, as they are frantically looking for food. Not only you, but also the chicken sees them during the day. And when the chicken sees them, it pecks them up and helps with the treatment. This may make it seem like the red mite infestation has worsened, but in fact, it is a sign that the treatment is working.
Choose natural instead of chemical
Because the chickens also eat dead blood mites, it is especially important to choose a natural solution. When you use a chemical pesticide, the chickens ingest it as well, and it consequently ends up in the eggs. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for a natural solution.
Due to laws and regulations, we cannot mention which products this concerns. For questions, you can always contact us.
Due to laws and regulations, we are not permitted to mention related products on this website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.