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What is Northern Fowl Mite?

Northern fowl mites (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) are tiny, blood-sucking parasites that live on chickens, primarily around the vent area. Unlike red mites, which feed at night, northern fowl mites remain on the bird throughout their life cycle. They are more easily spotted with the naked eye and appear as small, dark specks moving through the feathers or near the base of the skin.

Signs of an infestation include irritation, scabbing, and feather loss around the vent and tail area. Affected chickens may also display restlessness, a drop in egg production, or even signs of anemia, such as pale combs and wattles, in severe cases. Northern fowl mites thrive in cool, damp conditions and can quickly spread throughout a flock.

Preventing Northern Fowl Mite

Preventing northern fowl mites in chickens requires vigilant care and proactive measures to protect your flock from discomfort and potential health issues. These mites can spread rapidly, so consistent management is key. Follow these steps:

  1. Inspect your flock regularly: Check chickens for signs of irritation, scabbing, or small dark mites around the vent area, under the wings, and near the tail base. Early detection is crucial for controlling infestations.
  2. Maintain coop cleanliness: Clean and disinfect the coop frequently, focusing on areas like nesting boxes and perches. Remove old bedding and replace it with clean materials to limit the mites’ habitat. Products like Poultry Shield can be effective for disinfection.
  3. Encourage dust bathing: Provide dust baths containing diatomaceous earth, wood ash, or fine sand. Dust bathing is a natural way for chickens to rid themselves of parasites, including northern fowl mites.
  4. Quarantine new birds: Before introducing new chickens to your flock, isolate and inspect them for mites. Treat them if necessary to prevent bringing pests into your coop.
  5. Use preventive mite treatments: Apply poultry-safe powders, sprays, or treatments like ivermectin as directed by a veterinarian. These can help keep infestations under control, especially during cooler months when mites are most active.
  6. Promote overall health: Ensure your flock receives a balanced diet, clean water, and a stress-free environment to strengthen their immune systems, making them more resilient to parasites.

Treatment Options

1. Cheapest Option - Ivermectin

Ivermectin is not licensed for use in the UK for chickens. As a result, it is recommended to avoid eating their eggs for at least 7 days after the final treatment. Ivermectin is an antiparasitic medication that works by targeting the nervous system of parasites, causing paralysis and death. Many backyard poultry keepers purchase ivermectin formulated for pigeons, but the dosage must be adjusted to match the chicken’s weight. The weight-to-dosage ratio is usually provided on the product packaging. Treatment typically needs to be repeated twice more, with a 7-day interval between doses to ensure the mites are fully eradicated. If you are unsure about the correct dosage or treatment plan, consult a local veterinarian for guidance.

2. Most Effective Option - Exzolt

Exzolt is a relatively new product on the market and does not require an egg withdrawal period. Treatment with Exzolt is an innovative approach to targeting northern fowl mite parasites. When poultry is treated with Exzolt, the acaricide is systemically distributed throughout the bird’s body, effectively reaching the blood. When northern fowl mites feed on the chicken’s blood, they ingest the product, which kills the mites upon ingestion. However, Exzolt does require a prescription from a vet. You may find that many vets don’t stock this medication, so you would need to obtain a prescription and then purchase the product online. While Exzolt can be quite expensive, it only requires two treatments added to the chickens’ water supply, spaced 7 days apart, to effectively treat the infestation.