How much DE is being used when dusting the coop is discussed? Does someone have an estimate of how much per square foot is used when dusting? I want to use it but am very confused. Are folks sprinkling or heavy dusting where most of the floor of the coop is lightly covered? As for mixing with shavings, again, how much is being used?
I have a 4' x 4' coop. The shavings are probably 2-3 inches thick, and there are three roosts in a ladder fashion. That being said, I use a metal livestock scoop full of DE to dust the coop and mix in the shavings. I haven't white washed yet, I just rub a small am't on to the roosts. Food grade DE was relatively expensive for me to obtain, so I wanted to use enough, but still exercise a modicum of restraint, lol.
Some sprinkle on heavy, some go light. I sprinkle if fairly heavily, like a decently thick coating of talcolm powder, and then turn the shavings over inside my coop. I sprinkle more sparingly in my nest boxes and mix it in. Make sure your birds are outside when you do this, so they're not inhaling the powder as it floats about. Don't you inhale a bunch either...lol. I'll also throw a cupful in their dust bathing area and turn it over a few times.
If breathing the DE is a problem what happens when the chickens are digging around in the shavings mixed with DE?
Once it's mixed in, the dust is kept down a LOT. When you sprinkle it on top, or by itself, it gets very "airborne". I do wear a mask when I'm scooping and spreading-- it's very light and talcum-ey. I, too, use it fairly heavily. When we clean the coop, I sprinkle a heavy layer down before the shavings go down, then sprinkle some every couple weeks on top of the shavings, or as I add shavings, to keep things drier, and keep the odor down some. Quote:
Quote:I guess thats why ive been coughing all day. wish someone would have told me that before i went and did that. lol
