Red Orange
A Look at Red Mites or Poultry Mites by Kirsty Peters
The red mite or chicken/poultry mite(Dermanyssus gallinae) is a common external parasite of poultry and wild birds and although very small it can be seen by the naked eye. Red mites feed on blood, feathers, skin or scales of birds and a large infestation level of mites will cause stress to the birds, leading to reduced egg production, anaemia and in extreme cases death.
Red Mite and its Life Cycle
Red Mites are Arachnids and as such have 8 legs and belong to the order Acari. As with all mites they have an unsegmented body and in the adult stage, 4 pairs of legs and mouthparts which are adapted for piercing. The adult mite measures approximately 1mm in length and 0.4mm in width, varying in colour from grey/ white to red depending on the level of blood engorgement.
Red mites feed on the bird between one and two hours each night, only in the dark, retreating during the day into cracks and crevices in the hen house, where they lay their eggs. This can make them hard to spot and treat before the infestation becomes large.
The female mite lays clusters of eggs near the chicken’s roosting area, the eggs of this mite are small (0.4mm x 0.25mm) oval and pearly white. Under warm conditions the eggs hatch in 2-3 days into 6-legged larvae. Before the first feed the larvae moult into an 8-legged protonymph (usually within 24 hours of hatching). These protonymphs start to feed on the roosting birds and moult to a deutonymph that continues to feed before moulting into an adult male or female.
Under favourable conditions a mite can complete a life cycle, from egg to a laying female in 7 days. So populations can build up extremely rapidly within poultry houses. To make matters worse the red mite can survive for up to 8 months in cracks and crevices without a blood meal.
Spotting the signs
If you are to avoid a major infestation of red mite it is important to be vigilant and treat the problem before it grows. One tell-tale sign of infestation may be the chickens reluctance to go back into the hen-house at night. The best time to check for these mites is early morning, when they can be seen easily by the naked eye after feeding on the blood of the birds overnight. Another tell-tale sign is a build up of a grey dust in the coop, this is the waste matter from the mite. Look particularly under perches and in perch sockets for live mites, they can also be found hiding in the dust on the floor under bedding and in the timber joints.
Red Mites versus Red Spider Mite
Red mites should not be confused with red spider mites or similar clover mites which are relatively harmless garden bugs. The red spider mites are a bright red colour and are seen during the day often on brickwork. Red mites are usually grey during the day and even when engorged with blood are not the bright red/ orange colour of the spider mite or clover mite.
About the Author
Kirsty Peters is a writer and has her own rare breed poultry farm. For more information and resources on hens and chicken keeping see http://keep-hens-raise-chickens.com
Red-Orange Latina Toes 2
|
|
Bodum Brazil 8 cup French Press Coffee Maker, 34 oz, Black The Brazil French Press coffee maker, designed in the early 80’s, was our first coffee maker and quickly became a symbol of what Bodum stands for. Attractive and functional design at an affordable price The Brazil has an ultra-light, heat-resistant borosilicate glass beaker and a polypropylene handle and base, which make the Brazil easy to use and easy to clean. The 3-part stainless steel plunger … |
|
|
Bodum Bistro Electric Burr Coffee Grinder Ask any coffee connoisseur and they’ll tell you that in order for coffee beans to develop their full flavor profile, they must be ground right before coming in contact with hot water. This is where the bistro electric burr coffee grinder comes in and beco… |
|
|
Copco 2510-9963 Acadia Reusable To-Go Mug, 16-Ounce Capacity $5.50 The reusable To Go Cup replaces paper and Styrofoam coffee cups. Double-wall insulation keeps drinks hot or cold. Durable, BPA free plastic construction. Textured, non-slip sleeve. Microwave and dishwasher safe…. |
|
|
Days of the New $4.60 Music Audio CD… |
|
|
150 Cartoon Classics $1.98 WOW! 150 Cartoon Classics DVD Set. PRICED LOW! Hours of classic animation! Here’s the ultimate collection of 150 Classic Cartoons. A laugh a minute featuring all-time favorite characters and fun-filled antics from the Golden Age of animation. Starring Woody Woodpecker, Popeye, The Three Stooges, Casper, Betty Boop and more on 4 Discs. Set weighs 6 ozs. Nab your kid-friendly Set now! 150 Cartoon Cl… |
|
|
Big Beach Boutique II $0.22 BIG BEACH BOUTIQUE II – THE MOVIE – DVD Movie… |
|
|
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Widescreen Edition) $2.79 Features include: •MPAA Rating: PG•Format: DVD•Runtime: 115 minutes… |
|
|
Lie To Me: Season Three $24.93 Synopsis: Item Type: BLU-RAY DVD MovieItem Rating: NRStreet Date: 10/04/11Wide Screen: yesDirector Cut: noSpecial Edition: noLanguageENGLISHForeign Film: noSubtitlesnoDubbed: noFull Frame: noRe-Release: noPackaging: Sleeve Please note: This supplier will be closed on 11/24, 11/25, 12/26, 1/2 for the holidays. The shipping cut off is 12/10 to try and have the products delivered by Christmas…. |
|
|
W.C. Fields Comedy Collection (The Bank Dick / My Little Chickadee / You Can’t Cheat an Honest Man / It’s a Gift / International House) $36.98 WC FIELDS COMEDY COLLECTION – DVD Movie… |
|
|
Oral-B Professional Care 3000 Electric Rechargeable Power Toothbrush $74.97 Procter And Gamble ProfessionalCare 1000 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush 10069055857493 Oral Care… |