I remember my Mama talking about the red mite problem in some folks’ hen houses, but yet, I don’t think we ever had them… and we’re talking about having 100 new baby chicks every year… then we would butcher all but one of the roosters for Southern Fried Chicken, and the rest would join the layers from last year until they grew too old to lay… I’m using the same old rock chicken house my Mama used in the 1940′s, for my 15 laying hens… with the dirt floor, and same aluminum nests Mama used…

And, I confess I don’t clean the hen-house as often as I should… but don’t think they have mites.

And all I do, to prevent, and/or to kill the mites if they are there, is every couple of months, put several buckets of wood ashes — one or two small buckets full in each of the various low places protected from dampness… where I often see my “biddies” fluffing their feathers. They get in there, and take their “bath” in those ashes, and act like they are having fun! (Wet ashes have a caustic effect… so be sure to put the “remedy” where it won’t get rained on!)

Hope this info is helpful!

Blessings to all… MuleMarm aka Texas Gal