Coop infestation
Red mites live in nesting boxes, roost cracks, and coop walls — birds pick them up when roosting. A single mite can lay thousands of eggs in hidden crevices.
Chicken Condition
Chicken Mites — Expert Online Avian Vet Care
Mites drain blood, spread through coops, and weaken entire flocks. Get same-day guidance from an avian-experienced vet on identification, treatment, and prevention.
Licensed Vets
$65 Flat Fee
Same-Day Rx
24/7 Access
Understanding chicken mites
Expert online care for mite infestations in backyard flocks
Licensed avian vet assessment of mite type and flock severity via video
Same-day appointments — most flock owners seen within 1–3 hours
Treatment protocols using accessible, flock-safe products
Coop deep-cleaning and biosecurity guidance to break the mite lifecycle
$65 flat fee — no memberships or hidden charges
Egg withdrawal guidance for laying hens on medication
Mites are among the most frustrating parasites in backyard flocks. Red mites can cause severe anemia without ever being visible on the bird during daylight hours, while scaly leg mites cause progressive lameness if left untreated. Both spread quickly and require coordinated treatment of birds and housing.
TelaVets connects you with an avian-experienced veterinarian who can help you identify the mite species, assess flock impact, and build a practical treatment plan — often the same day. You will receive step-by-step guidance on bird treatment, coop sanitation, and follow-up schedules to eliminate reinfestation.
Common signs of chicken mites we can help with
- Restlessness and excessive preening at night
- Pale comb and wattles (anemia)
- Feather loss around vent and neck
- Reduced egg production
- Weight loss despite normal appetite
- Crusty, raised scales on legs and feet
- Visible tiny red or gray mites on roosts at night
- Lethargy and weakness in severe infestations
What causes chicken mites?
Mite outbreaks in backyard flocks usually trace back to housing conditions or introduction of infected birds — understanding the source helps prevent recurrence.
Wild bird contact
Sparrows, starlings, and other wild birds carry mites into coops and introduce parasites to enclosed flocks with no prior exposure.
Inadequate coop maintenance
Infrequent deep cleaning, damp bedding, and porous wood surfaces create ideal mite harborage. Mites survive months without feeding in cool, sheltered spots.
How our vets diagnose it online
Our avian vets diagnose mite infestations through visual assessment on video combined with your description of flock behavior and housing conditions — no clinic visit required.
- Video assessment of feather condition, comb color, and leg scale appearance
- Guidance on nighttime coop inspection with a flashlight to find red mites on roosts
- Evaluation of flock-wide symptoms versus individual bird involvement
- Review of recent introductions, wild bird access, and coop cleaning history
- Severity grading to determine if supportive care (iron, nutrition) is needed alongside parasite treatment
Treatments we may prescribe
Effective mite treatment requires treating both the birds and every surface in the coop — our vets build a coordinated plan tailored to your flock size and setup.
Permethrin-based sprays and dusts for birds and coop surfaces
Ivermectin guidance with egg withdrawal periods for laying hens
Scaly leg mite treatment with petroleum jelly or ivermectin drops
Coop deep-cleaning protocol — pressure washing, crevice sealing, and repeat treatments
Anemia support with iron-rich foods and nutritional supplementation
Isolation of severely affected birds during initial treatment
Repeat treatment schedule to break the 7-day mite lifecycle
All medications are prescribed only when clinically appropriate by a licensed veterinarian and dispensed through our FDA-compliant pharmacy.
Preventing mite reinfestation in your flock
Inspect roosts and nesting boxes with a flashlight at night monthly — early detection prevents flock-wide outbreaks.
Deep clean and disinfect the coop at least twice yearly, paying special attention to cracks and crevices where mites hide.
Use diatomaceous earth in dust bathing areas and coop floors as a preventive measure between outbreaks.
Quarantine new birds for 30 days and inspect for mites before introducing them to your flock.
Seal wild bird access points and avoid leaving feed exposed that attracts mite-carrying visitors.
Why pet parents choose TelaVets
Licensed DVMs Only
Every consultation is with a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine — not a chatbot or technician.
$65 Flat Fee
One transparent price covers your full video consultation and treatment plan. No facility fees or surprise charges.
Same-Day Appointments
Most flock owners are connected with a vet within 1–3 hours of booking, 7 days a week.
Next-Day Prescriptions
When medication is appropriate, prescriptions are issued same-day and delivered to your door next business day.
Avian-Experienced Vets
Our vets have experience with backyard chickens and flock health — rare among telemedicine platforms.
Secure & Private
Encrypted video calls and HIPAA-compliant records keep your pet's health information protected.
How TelaVets works
Book your consultation
Pick a same-day or upcoming slot — appointments available 7 days a week.
Connect with a licensed vet
Your vet assesses your pet via secure video, asks detailed questions, and reviews their history.
Get your treatment plan
Receive a diagnosis, personalised care plan, and same-day prescriptions delivered next-day.
What Our Pet Parents Say
Join thousands of happy pet parents who trust TelaVets for their furry family members care
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
Related resources
Helpful reading and services from the TelaVets team.
Book a Vet Visit
Same-day online vet appointments for $65 — no membership required.
Read moreHow TelaVets Works
Learn how our licensed vets diagnose and treat pets via secure video consultation.
Read moreChicken Treatment Hub
Backyard chicken health topics — respiratory, parasites, egg issues, and more.
Read moreChicken Wellness
Preventive care and flock health guidance from avian-experienced vets.
Read moreExplore related care
Licensed TelaVets vets treat a wide range of conditions online.
Frequently asked questions about chicken mites
Yes. Our licensed vets can assess symptoms of mites via video consultation, review your chicken's history, and provide a clinical assessment with a treatment plan.
Treatment depends on severity and cause. Our vets will create a personalised plan which may include prescription medications, dietary changes, or at-home care instructions.
Same-day appointments are usually available. Most pet owners are seen within 1–3 hours of booking.
Yes. If medication is clinically appropriate, our licensed vets can issue prescriptions same-day, with next-day delivery to your door.
If your chicken shows severe distress, inability to breathe, uncontrolled bleeding, or sudden collapse, seek emergency in-person care immediately. For other concerning symptoms, an online consultation is an excellent first step.
Get expert help for your chicken's mites today
Same-day appointments — $65 flat fee — licensed vets