Anyone else use Diatomaceous earth regularly?

[daniel-delarosa]

Is it ok to spread Diatomaceous earth regularly on the coop floor and where the chickens take dust baths to control mites? A few of my hens scales on their feet started to raise up. Read a little about it and found that it was most likely mites. Sprayed mineral oil on their feet for a week to choke them out. I was at tractor supply and the guy there told me to spread diatomaceous earth on the coop floor and run weekly to control mites. He said it wont hurt the chickens. Anyone do this?

 

[Bator Babies]

I put it in the nest boxes. all the hens go in there every day

 

[phalenbeck]

I have used D.E. on occasion for 3 years. Currently it is in a coop tub for dust bathing because some of the older girls seem to have scaley leg mites. It has not hurt my flock yet, but may or may not help. When it is warmer I will soak and shampoo there feet which I know does clear leg mites.

 

[Chicksrulefarm]

I have read in a poultry magazine recommendation to mix diatomaceous earth with regular soil for dust bathing. I would assume they would not recommend it if it was harmful to chickens. I was planning to do it for my girls too.

 

[Klbw35]

I use DE all the time I have read so many wonderful cures for things this stuff is amazing. First I feed it to them it's a natural dewormer just sprinkle it into there food. I also sprinkle it on Their feathers for a natural bug and de lice them. Sprinkle it on your coup floor no more smell put it in their boxes to kill bugs. Use it for your dogs and cats just sprinkle it on their fur and rub in it kills fleas with out chemicals sprinkle it on their beds to kill fleas in your house. It also kills ants and other gross bugs. It cuts down on your flys durning the summer. Basically anything it comes into contact with it kills. Now here is the most important part you have to buy food grade I buy my at menards in the garden area it's $6 a bag 5-10lbs it will not hurt you or animals a lot of people take it to deworm them selves. I know it gross but some people suffer from that. Becarful on how much you give your dogs and cat and chickens internally I just sprinkle it on top of their food you must do it for a few weeks everyday but you don't have to disgard your eggs while you use it. Any more questions just ask me... Good luck. Ps I used it on my rooster baby oil then DE to kill the leg mites on his legs worked like a charm

 

[Zootopia]

We have used DE for many years as an organic way to worm our dogs, as well as insect control for their yards and runs that won't hurt the chickens when they visit the dogs (the gates are often open and the chickens know what messy eaters the dogs are). We add DE to the chickens favorite dusting spots and dust the entire coop and all runs. We also use it around our house to keep crawly critters from around the foundation without risk of harming our free range and very curious chickens. It is a totally safe and very effective alternative to chemical pest control.

 

[Bloom]

I live in Abilene, is there a place here to buy it or do you get it online? I'm a bit leary of purchasing online since you don't know if it is pure product til you receive it.