Bedding and DE

[6chick*start]

About to put pine shavings down in my newly finished coop. One area will be a sand box.
Do I sprinkle the DE on the bare floor/corners before adding the shavings, then sprinkle a bit on top?
Or just on top of shavings?

 

[Schwartzfarmnc]

Spread a small layer of shavings on the floor maybe an inch or 2 then sprinkle some DE and top off with a small layer of bedding again, the DE will eventually end up on the floor anyways when the chicks scratch/bath in the bedding. We add a little DE when we add shavings to get to the desired level of shavings, which for us will be between 6 and 8 inches.

 

[2many2count]

I thought I was the only one who used DE....wow I'm not

But I have to admit I don't know how I survived before it.

 

[GiddyMoon]

We have been using DE for years for our cats..both for worms and dusting kittens for fleas..and pest control around the home

 

[kaitlyn_rae2003]

I am getting DE before our cuties move outside, maybe someone who has used it before can help me, do I have to use food grade DE? they do not have that here at my local feed store, they have DE but not "food grade"??

 

[Nicole01]

Is DE just for pest control? Or does it control odor as well? I bought a pound of food grade DE and have not used it. Will the birds get sick if they eat it?

 

[GiddyMoon]

ONLY food grade..I have ordered off ebay many times..the common store name is PERMA GAURD..you can also find it at hardware stores..I also use it in the catbox for odor

 

[GiddyMoon]

No, the birds will not get sick..you can also put it in their feed as a dewormer

 

[Judy]

Quote:
I would be interested in any research that indicates it is effective against worms.

De should IMO be used quite sparingly as it is irritating to lungs if inhaled. From the FAQ page:

What is DE, how is it used and is it safe for my chickens?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3688

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=705

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3800

 

[GiddyMoon]

Quote:
I would be interested in any research that indicates it is effective against worms.

De should IMO be used quite sparingly as it is irritating to lungs if inhaled. From the FAQ page:

What is DE, how is it used and is it safe for my chickens?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3688

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=705

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3800

The use of DE is well talked about on this forum and many others, as well as from many people who have used it. You can find a lot of info on it on the net. As for documentation..I am sure many things we have found that works for all kinds of things aren't clinically "researched".