Coop infestation reservoirs
Red mites survive months without feeding in wood gaps — reinfecting birds after bird-only treatment.
Chicken Condition
Chicken Mites & Lice — Online Vet Help
Mites and lice are common in backyard flocks and spread fast. Get expert treatment guidance from an avian-experienced vet — fast and affordable.
Licensed Vets
$65 Flat Fee
Same-Day Rx
24/7 Access
External parasites in poultry
Eliminating mites and lice from your backyard flock
Red mite vs. northern fowl mite vs. scaly leg mite identification
Permethrin and Ivermectin protocol with egg withdrawal times
Coop crack and crevice treatment schedule — mites live off birds at night
Scaly leg mite petroleum jelly suffocation technique
Anemia assessment from pale combs in heavy infestations
Repeat treatment timing to break parasite life cycle
Poultry mites and lice drain blood, damage feathers, and drop egg production — red mites hide in coop cracks feeding at night while northern fowl mites stay on birds continuously. Scaly leg mites create raised crusty leg scales.
Treating birds without treating coops fails every time with red mites. TelaVets avian vets prescribe flock-safe parasiticides, calculate egg withdrawal periods, and schedule repeat treatments that match parasite biology.
Common signs of chicken mites & lice we can help with
- Feather loss
- Restlessness and scratching
- Pale combs (anemia)
- Reduced egg production
- Weight loss
- Visible parasites or eggs at feather base
- Crusty scales on legs (scaly leg mites)
What causes chicken mites & lice?
Parasite control is flock plus housing — half measures guarantee recurrence next molt.
Wild bird contact
Sparrows and pigeons introduce mites to outdoor runs and shared water sources.
New bird introduction
Untested additions bring lice and mites that spread before visible feather loss appears.
How our vets diagnose it online
Nighttime coop inspection guidance is a telehealth staple for red mite diagnosis.
- Inspect vent feathers and shafts at night with flashlight for moving mites
- Assess comb color for anemia pallor in chronic cases
- Examine leg scales for lifting and crusting typical of Knemidocoptes
- Count percentage of flock affected to gauge outbreak severity
- Review prior treatment products and timing for resistance pattern
Treatments we may prescribe
Integrated plans treat birds, nests, and coop structures on a repeat schedule with documented egg and meat withdrawal compliance.
Permethrin-based treatments
Ivermectin guidance
Diatomaceous earth
Coop treatment and deep cleaning
Scaly leg mite treatment (petroleum jelly)
Repeat treatment schedule
All medications are prescribed only when clinically appropriate by a licensed veterinarian and dispensed through our FDA-compliant pharmacy.
Keeping parasites out of your coop
Quarantine and inspect new birds before flock introduction.
Pressure-wash and treat coops during complete flock changes annually.
Eliminate wild bird nesting in coop eaves and feed storage areas.
Provide dust bathing areas with diatomaceous earth in dry weather.
Repeat parasiticide per vet schedule — one dose rarely ends mite cycles.
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
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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 & lice
Yes. Our licensed vets can assess symptoms of mites and lice 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 & lice today
Same-day appointments — $65 flat fee — licensed vets