After your chickens have spent the winter in their coop, the start of the warmer months brings much joy for you and your chickens. The chickens can finally peck in the run again and enjoy the first rays of sunshine. Now, an important task for successful chicken farming awaits you!

Mites are a challenge for many chicken owners, especially in spring. But that's no reason to worry. A thorough spring cleaning of the coop will help. And you can prevent mite infestations all year round with simple remedies to prevent the parasites from settling in the coop or in the chickens' feathers as temperatures rise.

How do I combat mites in the chicken coop?

Mites not only make life difficult for your chickens, but also pose a real health threat to the animals. Anyone familiar with the problem knows that these parasites drive many owners to despair.

Do I have to give up my chickens if they get a mite infestation? Many people ask this question with a heavy heart. But the answer is "no." There are some measures that can help both preventatively and in the event of an acute mite problem.

With the change of seasons, mites also become more common in chicken coops. However, when the first low temperatures arrive in autumn and winter, the adult insects die and no longer pose a threat.

The young mites and their eggs survive the winter cold in their nests. When spring arrives and temperatures rise steadily above freezing again, the very young mites become active – and the parasites hatch from their eggs. When temperatures reach 10°C in early spring, the pests multiply rapidly.

If you notice a noticeable number of mites in your chicken coop in the spring, you should act quickly. While mites can never be completely eradicated, it is important to reduce their numbers to a minimum.

A thorough cleaning of the chicken coop is the first step in dealing with mite infestation. Important: After the end of winter, spring cleaning is of utmost importance. It should be done to prevent and reduce mites, so that you and your chickens can start the warmer months of the year pest-free.

Detecting mites in chickens

If you find bites from the parasites on your own body, you can be sure that there is an acute mite infestation in your coop. If you experience itching after visiting your chickens and, upon closer inspection, discover mites, that's a clear warning sign.

However, there are also earlier signs that can tell if your chickens are plagued by mites. First, thoroughly inspect the coop. Hidden areas and crevices are particularly popular places for the parasites to grow undetected in their nests.

By the way, various mite species are active both diurnally and nocturnally. Just because you don't see any mites in daylight doesn't rule out the possibility that these little creatures are roaming around in the chicken coop at night. The red poultry mite, for example, only causes trouble at night.

As a chicken owner, you know your animals best! You should take notice if you notice your chickens acting restless. Untidy or ruffled feathers also indicate a mite infestation. Attempting to relieve the itching can lead to scratched and bleeding skin on your chickens.

Please note that even after you intervene, it may take up to a month for your chickens to fully recover. During this stressful time, they may also temporarily lay fewer eggs.

Spring cleaning in the chicken coop: 6 easy steps

For spring cleaning, or any cleaning at any time of year, it's best to choose a dry, sunny day. This allows your birds to be outside in the run, and the coop dries quickly. It's important to take plenty of time and calmly to approach this task, as a thorough cleaning lays the foundation for a (virtually) mite-free chicken coop.

Step 1: Remove bedding

First, remove all bedding. This will accumulate quite a bit, especially after winter, as a thick layer of straw and sawdust is helpful for particularly good floor insulation. If you used Styrofoam panels to insulate the walls or a tarp to protect against precipitation, these should also be removed.

Step 2: Clean surfaces

Thoroughly clean the surfaces where your chickens spend most of their time: the perches, nesting boxes, the dropping tray, and the chicken ladder. If the dirt has dried, a sharp-edged tool will make the job easier. A knife, for example, works well.

Step 3: Expand the stable

Now you should disassemble the coop as much as possible. Unscrew all parts behind which mites might have built a nest, such as boards and fittings. Can the coop even be disassembled completely? This will make your spring cleaning even more thorough, and you might discover more hidden nests along the way.

Important! Be sure to pack the old bedding and all waste in airtight garbage bags and tie them securely. This is the only way to prevent the mites from spreading again to another location.

Step 4: Cleaning

Now it's time to get down to business. Consider beforehand what cleaning options are available to you – and what you have experience with. You'll achieve the best results with a pressure washer, which will wash away all dirt and mites. You can also spray the coop with a simple garden hose, but this won't clean as thoroughly as a pressure washer.

Another option is to burn the coop. This method also leaves the mites and their nests without a chance. Of course, burning is only advisable if you have experience with it and are sure there is nothing flammable nearby.

Step 5: Check and dry

Once you've cleaned the chicken coop with water, wait until everything is thoroughly dry. The fifth step is to inspect the coop and check carefully for any remaining traces of mite infestation. If so, repeat step 4 and hose down—or flame clean—everything a second time.

Step 6: Distribute fresh bedding

Now distribute fresh bedding in the coop and laying nests. And if possible, give your chickens a dust bath with Cumbasil Mite. Available. Ideally outdoors – but under cover! This is the best way to prevent mites and other parasites. And because your chickens have the powder in their feathers after brooding, it also spreads throughout the coop and gets into cracks where mites live.

Initially, fill the sand bath tub with 2/3 Cumbasil Mite and add 1/3 potting soil. This will encourage even cautious chickens to accept the sand bath, and they'll soon be scratching and brooding to their heart's content.

In the evening after spring cleaning, your chickens will return to their clean, mite-free shelter. You can relax, and your animals will have a stress-free start to spring!