DE for coop and run?

[Patoot]

Should I get DE for the coop and run? The feed store sells it for a $1 a lb or a 40lb bag for $34. How long does it last? What do I want it for? Smell? The coop doesn't smell at all. I have a lot of flies in the run, but my yard is small and it doesn't smell like a farm.

They run all over the yard so the poop isn't all in one spot either. The only thing I've noticed yard wise is that there are poops on the porch and we have more flies. The grass looks great and there is no smell so that's going well. Keep in mind I've had them just under 2 weeks so it could be that smell will come the longer I have them. I just don't want to waste money, but I'm happy to get it if it does something.

Thanks.

Bree

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I just don't want to waste money, but I'm happy to get it if it does something.

It will killl a few bugs and soak up a little moisture.

Your bedding will soak up moisture for less money

You don't need either of those in a run​

 

[kateseidel]

I don't put it in my run. But I do use it in the coop - I also use it in my horse stalls and tack room and attic to take care of insects. Can't say I've noticed it does anything about smell, but it does take care of the bugs. In the coop, I actually mix it with stall dry, and sprinkle it on my poop boards and on the floor before I put in shavings.

 

[lindseythefork]

I sprinkle some in the coop before I put new shavings in purely because there were a bunch of ants in there awhile back, and I'd rather not have an entire ant colony living in my coop.

 

[palochknldy]

Personally, I wouldn't use it unless you think you really need it. We don't use it. Yes we have flies, but like you, our coop doesn't smell(wood chips take care of that problem). It's just one more thing to not have to worry about injesting. Chicken poop = flies= our new way of life that we just deal with!

 

[kateseidel]

You would normally WANT your chickens ingesting the DE - it also serves as a natural wormer.

 

[viktoriacl]

You will get many opinions on this subject! I find that when I use it in their food, in the coop and in the run there are no flies. As soon as I stop useing it they return. Thats what I see and to me its worth it. The bag is lasting forever!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I put my fresh shavings down and sprinkle DE on top of those. Then I also mix it in their food (just a tiny amount). A 40 lb. bag is lasting me so long I don't know if it will ever be gone in the whole next year. And I sprinkle to my heart's content!! But I don't use it in the run.