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Terrors In The Coop

The Country Smallholder

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August 2025

The Hidden Threats Facing Backyard Chickens and How to Beat Them. Nettex offer some solutions to a perennial problem

Terrors In The Coop

Raising chickens brings joy, fresh eggs, and the satisfaction of self-sufficiency but it also comes with its share of challenges, especially from external parasites. These pesky pests might be small, but their impact on your flock’s health and wellbeing can be massive if left unchecked.

Whether it’s Red Mites hiding deep in the coop or Scaly Leg Mites causing discomfort to your birds, the key to maintaining a healthy flock is understanding the risks and putting an effective prevention routine in place.

RED MITES: THE SILENT INVADER

Red Mites are among the most notorious chicken parasites. They live in the housing and emerge under cover of darkness to feed on your flock. Light infestations can be hard to spot, but over time, they can lead to reduced egg production, anaemia, or worse.

Early signs of infestation include:

Prevention and housing hygiene are essential.

Weekly inspection and cleaning of the coop help keep Red Mites at bay. Spraying the housing with a product such as Nettex Total Mite Kill Ready to Use Spray can help disinfect the coop and kill mites.

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