Arizona Chickens

[In2Ice]

I was curious what type of DE do you use to control mites etc. Does it need to be a food grade or do you just use the DE that you can buy at your home improvement store that is used in swimming pool filters?

 

[Mahonri]

In reality, DE does NOT control mites. Most commonly, for mites you need to use Poultry dust or Sevin.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

I was curious what type of DE do you use to control mites etc. Does it need to be a food grade or do you just use the DE that you can buy at your home improvement store that is used in swimming pool filters?

You should only use the food grade for controlling arthropods. For general preventative measures, DE can be quite effective (under certain circumstances) at controlling mites. It's the principle preventative treatment for external parasites in organic chicken farming. This study showed that, with lighter applications than suggested by the Mfg., >50% of mites are killed within 24 hours--providing that the humidity is 75% or lower. DE works by adsorption--it pulls the waxer outer coating off an insect like a sponge. After that, it's difficult for the insect to stay hydrated and they die, which is partly why the efficacy of DE is highly dependent on relative humidity. The other problem with it is that it works so dang slow. You're literally waiting for the bugs to die of dehydration. Then if you have an outbreak during monsoon season or a rainy week when humidity is high, it's effectiveness would be greatly diminished. So, for most of the time, DE works very well as a preventative measure here in AZ because of our extremely dry climate. It's always interesting to look at the debates out on the forum about the effectiveness of DE. The most ardent DE opponents typically live in very humid environments; I'm sure it doesn't work well for them. I would also point out that there are no data at all supporting the notion that DE is an effective wormer.

I put some DE down in the shavings of the nest boxes and the elevated part of my coop. I also sprinkle it around the ground in the coop and mix it with the dirt. I also put wood ash and DE in the chickens' favorite dust bath (under the canoe). I don't know if it's coincidence or not, but in all the years growing up we never had a mite or lice infestation--and we also kept a dust bath with wood ashes in it, even in the winter. My mom must've gotten it from her dad because he did it too. So far it's worked. Of course, it always works, until it doesn't.

 

[itsredcandy]

In reality, DE does NOT control mites. Most commonly, for mites you need to use Poultry dust or Sevin.

Does it control parasites or ticks? I don't think our yard has ticks as we've been there since 2007 and my dogs never gotten them. However I am afraid that they may come due to the chickens. I could be wrong but maybe not. Do all chickens have mites or are these introduced by the other wild life that come into the yard? I have used bug control the last several years and am considering cancelling due to having the chickens and just spraying in the front yard ourselves.

GALLO ~ You answered my post as I was writing it. Thank you.

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

A sunken garden
Begins and ends with a hole
What next for this void?






TT!'s sweet verses:

Once upon a time
This hole was more than a hole
It was a garden


there was another, but it would get me banned.

 

[rufus]

next time i buy chicken feed i will see what kind it is. i have always given them the same feed for years, year round. i also give them grapes,melon and any fresh fruits and vegs. they also love rice and beans. in the summer we have a mister system for the chickens. we leave it on all day in the heat. they have lots of shade and we wet the tree wells for them also. they also spend a lot of time in the carport where there is a fan going. do you know the answer to the egg yoke problem? the yoke is so thick, you just can't mix them with a fork, for scrambled eggs. this is the first time they have ever been this thick. i haven't done anything different, with their feed. the chickens look fine. if anyone knows about the thick yokes, please let me know.

For what it is worth, I always put a little water in the bowl when I scramble eggs. That seems to help. Some people use milk, but that give the eggs a different texture.

Other people just crack the eggs into the grease and scramble them there. Again, that yields a different result.

We like to add cheese, chopped chilis, red bell pepper, onion and bits of torn up corn tortillas to our scrambled eggs.

Eggs fried in bacon grease have a much better flavor in my estimation.

Try it, you might like it.

Rufus

 

[rufus]

I was curious what type of DE do you use to control mites etc. Does it need to be a food grade or do you just use the DE that you can buy at your home improvement store that is used in swimming pool filters?

We use the dead ashes from the wood stove to control mites. Put it in their dust bath area, but be sure and sift it to get out any odd bits of hardware like nails and staples.

Rufus

 

[Memphisjourney2seramas]

we use the ashes too. I wasnt sure that it worked or not, but I thought it couldn't hurt.

 

[Puffycheeks]

PLEASE always use food grade whenever it is used for or around any living thing!!!

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
I have no idea what could cause the hard yolks described; I've never heard of it before. Are you sure the eggs are freshly laid? Do the birds appear healthy? What are they eating/drinking, and how much?