SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/chick-red-mite-night

When do poultry red mites feed on chickens?

At night. By day they hide in cracks, roosts and nest boxes.

Start playing free

  1. At night, hiding in cracks by day ✔
  2. All day, living on the bird
  3. Only in winter, in the feed

Why: Because red mites hide during the day, you may not see them on the birds. Check cracks, roost ends and nest boxes, or look at the birds at night.

Huh, didn't know that: Heavy mite infestations can make hens lay fewer eggs.

The dad joke
What did the chicken say to the mite? You might want to leave.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: At night, hiding in cracks by day. Because red mites hide during the day, you may not see them on the birds. Check cracks, roost ends and nest boxes, or look at the birds at night.

  1. Mites of Poultry, Merck Veterinary Manual www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/arthropods-in-poultry/mites-of-poultry
    Poultry red mites are nocturnal feeders that hide during the day under bird droppings, on roosts, in nest boxes
    Checked 2026-10-11.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

Backyard ChickensWhen does most predation on backyard chickens happen?Backyard ChickensWhy do chicken lice treatments need to be repeated after about 10 days?Backyard ChickensIn cities that allow chickens, what do the rules often limit?

That's stuff everyone should know.