Newbie here!

[MiransaC4131]

Welcome to BYC, and good luck with your quail. Be very careful with the DE - if powdery, it can cause respiratory problems.

The kind I have is food grade, I have heard a little bit of that is okay.

 

[Debbie292d]

The kind I have is food grade, I have heard a little bit of that is okay.

When I do the coop, dustbaths, and parrot cages I wear a mask and sprinkle it out of an old parmesan cheese container so it doesn't get airborne. I do it when the birds aren't there.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

my plan is to use a plastic tub with some diatomaceous earth mixed in, but what should I use as a base?

Don't use the DE. About the only thing it is good for is a little tossed into grains if there are signs of grain weevils. That's it.
Just use plain dirt.

 

[LTAY1946]

Hello and Welcome to BYC. It's good to have you in this poultry loving community.

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[Cynthia12]

WELCOME! I've hatched popcorn quail before..oh wait..I mean the tiny ones, that jump around like popcorn popping when they're little. Button Quail. And yeah..no DE!

 

[Tookie]

Hello, and welcome to BYC!

 

[chrissynemetz]

Welcome to BYC! It's nice to meet you!