Poultry in Warm Weather: Red Mite Checks, Coop Hygiene & Keeping Hens Comfortable

Late June is prime time to tighten up your poultry routine — especially if warm nights are setting in. Red mite can build quickly, and hens can start to look “a bit off” before you realise what’s going on.

Red mite: how to check properly (without panicking)

Red mite hide in cracks and crevices during the day and feed at night.

• Check perch ends, nest box edges, and coop joins
• Use a torch after dark (best time to spot activity)
• Wipe suspect areas with a white tissue to look for red smears

If you’re doing a feed run at the same time, it’s a handy moment to make sure you’re set up for the next few weeks. Start with Farm & Smallholding - Poultry Feed, and for everyday staples link straight to Chicken Feed.

A simple coop hygiene routine for summer

You don’t need to deep-clean daily — focus on the high-contact areas.

Weekly

• Scrape and wipe perches (especially ends)
• Refresh bedding (more often if it’s damp)
• Clean nest box contact points

Keeping bedding fresh and dry makes a bigger difference than most people expect. If you’re topping up, browse Poultry Bedding.

Monthly (or as needed)

• Do a more thorough clean-out
• Check for new cracks/warping where pests can hide
• Improve ventilation if the coop feels humid or smells stale

Water: the easiest win for summer poultry care

• Refresh water daily (twice daily in hot spells)
• Keep drinkers in shade if possible
• Clean drinkers weekly to remove slime/biofilm

If you’re replacing tired drinkers or want an easier setup for summer, Poultry Feeding & Drinking Equipment is the best place to start.

Health support (especially if birds look “not quite right”)

If you’re seeing a drop in laying, paler combs, or birds that just seem a bit flat, it’s worth checking for red mite and tightening up hygiene — and then reviewing your basics in Poultry Treatments & Supplements.

Keeping hens comfortable in warm weather

• Provide shade in the run
• Ensure dust-bathing areas stay dry and usable
• Avoid handling during the hottest part of the day
• If birds are panting heavily, increase shade/airflow and reassess water access

If you’re at the stage of upgrading housing (or adding a second coop to reduce crowding), you can browse Poultry Houses / Coops.

Late-June poultry checklist

• Torch-check the coop after dark for red mite
• Scrape/wipe perches and refresh bedding
• Refresh water daily and clean drinkers weekly
• Check ventilation and reduce humidity
• Watch for pale combs or a sudden drop in laying

If you’re topping up coop-care essentials for the season, browse our poultry collections — and join our email list for friendly, practical weekly tips that match what’s happening on UK smallholdings right now.