Should I use DIATOMACEOUS EARTH ???

[NateinFL]

I did not have any luck with the DE. I went so far as to taking DE internally for a while, but I did not see a change. I agree that my birds REALLY like to dust in the ash left over from bonfires. There must be something in there that smothers the mites and parasites. Personally, I would not spend my money on DE.

 

[sbhkma]

I don't use DE on my chickens. However, I DO use it to start my vegetables inside. Not food grade, but the larger granules. I add about 1 cup per 5 gallon container for my tomatoes, It helps condition the soil and I have read that it helps the plant take in nutrients. I don't know if that's true, but I did my own "experiment" with growing one plant with no DE and one with and there was a huge difference in size by 8 weeks. I have asthma and there is no way I would want to be anywhere near food grade DE, so I don't want my chickens near it either.

 

[blucoondawg]

Then be careful working with it in your vegetables as the filter grade de is more harmful to your lungs than food grade

 

[sbhkma]

I always wear a charcoal filter mask, same as when I clean the coop. Thanks for the tip though!