When do you start using Diatomaceous Earth?

Chicks are almost two weeks old. When do I start using Diatomaceous Earth (food grade)? Do I sprinkle it in their feed? Mix it with bedding? Make a small dirt bath for the brooder with it?

Sarah

I certainly wouldn't make a dust bath out of it. It is extremely irritating to respiratory systems (ours and theirs,) and shoud be used only in very small quantities.

Ok, so not a dust bath. I'm assuming its used as a preventative for mites/fleas?

What is the typical application of it in a brooder or coop?
Thanks!!
Sarag

I use DE directly on the big, wet, smelly poos. It really cuts down on the flies!
So, that would be in your the coop. I let mine free range in my yard, so it's mostly used on the concrete areas where I have to deal with poo. I do sprinkle it on the poos I clean out of the coop once it's in the collection bucket if I see flies in there, too.
It doesn't work if it's wet and if it's for crawly pests, it has to be in a solid line.
Hope that helps.

I've used food grade DE for many things, for many years. I put it in my chickens nest boxes, liberally all around and in the coop and run, on moist spots to help dry them up and on the livestock's barn floor, especially during kidding time. You can also lightly dust the chickens themselves, just try not to get in their eyes, nose or beak. I've always had good luck using it in their dust bath areas too. I just use a flour sifter and shake a little coating of it around where they like to 'bathe'.

I read somewhere on here that you can cut off the end of a pair of hose, put in DE (FOOD GRADE) tie it in a ball and lightly bounce it against the bird being sure to go against the 'feathergrain' while being sure to keep it away from any openings (eyes, ears, nose, throat and cloacal opening). I am new so keep researching until you see a common thread of acceptability..

"Common thread of acceptability!"
LOVE it!
My husband teases me for researching a ton online, but that's what I'm always striving for! I knew NOTHING about raising chickens before I started reading--now, I would say I'm "fluent" enough in "brooder" & "baby chick" because of all of that reading. I never take the outliers...always the middle ground, and it seems to work well for me on any topic.

Thanks!!

sarahandbray said:

"Common thread of acceptability!"
LOVE it!
My husband teases me for researching a ton online, but that's what I'm always striving for! I knew NOTHING about raising chickens before I started reading--now, I would say I'm "fluent" enough in "brooder" & "baby chick" because of all of that reading. I never take the outliers...always the middle ground, and it seems to work well for me on any topic.

Thanks!!

Click to expand...

AGREED Even if I now need reading glasses! I am ok with that!
Good to know I am NOT alone, as my DB thinks I am bat 'c***' crazy...and that's ok, too, because our 'success' stories will prove worth all of this 'hard' work!
(Thank you!)
Your DH can blame me for this one...from this link this lady has me back up on the fence and willing to see how far the rabbit hole goes regarding the DE debate! Aargh (sigh). Though, now that I think about it, I'd bet you have already seen it! http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/search?q=chicken+mites ....
She definitely seems to have a strong opinion of DE while discussing parasitic infestation...she 'appears' acceptable... enough, to make me want to keep digging.
Good luck (like we need that, ha! education is some of the best 'luck' in the world, right!) and I definitely look forward to seeing you around because we both know that common threads can be like spider webs...the thicker the strands the stronger the bands, the better off chicks are when left in our hands!
Congrats on your little cutie-pies.
I am left with the 'daunting' task of continuing to bring up 4 day old babes! Good thing for them that I cannot find the 'off ' button on this computer...