I have been trying to read up on the use of DE.
I have seen both sides of the debates, as to whether it is safe to use around Chickens, Dogs, Cats, Asthmatic Children, etc.
I have decided to try using it in my Coop, Nesting boxes and in the Feed,
mainly for controlling flies,
but any other benefits are also welcomed.
I have read where everyone who uses it,...
says to just "Sprinkle it around in the Coop", or, "Sprinkle it in their Feed".
I am ready to go up to the feed store to purchase the DE, but my questions are,...
How much should I buy? (how many pounds ?).
Is there a recommended amount, per sq. ft. of area ?
My feed store has it in a Bulk Barrel, and they sell it by the pound.
My Coop is 4' x 8', with 3" to 4" of pine shavings on the floor, and 16' of Overhead Perch's, that have "Poop Boards" under the Perch's.
the Poop Boards are cleaned every 2 or 3 days, and the pine shavings are changed about every 6 to 8 weeks.
here are pics of the Coop...
The Coop is built inside of the "Run", about 18" off of the ground.
The Run, is 12' wide x 24' long, and has 3" to 4" of Wash-Con Sand, as the flooring.
(in this pic, you can only see about half, of the 24' length of the Run).
So as for using the DE...
How much (pounds) Should I buy ?
How much should I "sprinkle" around, inside the Coop ?.. (in/on the pine Shavings)
The Run ?... (in/on the Sand)
The Nesting boxes ?... (which also are half filled with Pine Shavings)
and in the Feed ?... (the large green feeder, you see hanging in the Run)
Should the DE be sprinkled, ONLY into the "Pecking/Feeding Pan", at the bottom of the feeders ?
or,
Should it be added throughout the 40#'s of feed, in the big Tube ?
The large Feeder in the Run, holds about 40#'s of Feed.
The smaller Black Feeder inside the Coop, holds about 10#'s of Feed.
And we have a total of 8 full sized Chickens. (not Banties)
Thank you as always,
for your experience and replies,
Ron
I have seen both sides of the debates, as to whether it is safe to use around Chickens, Dogs, Cats, Asthmatic Children, etc.
I have decided to try using it in my Coop, Nesting boxes and in the Feed,
mainly for controlling flies,
but any other benefits are also welcomed.
I have read where everyone who uses it,...
says to just "Sprinkle it around in the Coop", or, "Sprinkle it in their Feed".
I am ready to go up to the feed store to purchase the DE, but my questions are,...
How much should I buy? (how many pounds ?).
Is there a recommended amount, per sq. ft. of area ?
My feed store has it in a Bulk Barrel, and they sell it by the pound.
My Coop is 4' x 8', with 3" to 4" of pine shavings on the floor, and 16' of Overhead Perch's, that have "Poop Boards" under the Perch's.
the Poop Boards are cleaned every 2 or 3 days, and the pine shavings are changed about every 6 to 8 weeks.
here are pics of the Coop...


The Coop is built inside of the "Run", about 18" off of the ground.
The Run, is 12' wide x 24' long, and has 3" to 4" of Wash-Con Sand, as the flooring.
(in this pic, you can only see about half, of the 24' length of the Run).

So as for using the DE...
How much (pounds) Should I buy ?
How much should I "sprinkle" around, inside the Coop ?.. (in/on the pine Shavings)
The Run ?... (in/on the Sand)
The Nesting boxes ?... (which also are half filled with Pine Shavings)
and in the Feed ?... (the large green feeder, you see hanging in the Run)
Should the DE be sprinkled, ONLY into the "Pecking/Feeding Pan", at the bottom of the feeders ?
or,
Should it be added throughout the 40#'s of feed, in the big Tube ?
The large Feeder in the Run, holds about 40#'s of Feed.
The smaller Black Feeder inside the Coop, holds about 10#'s of Feed.
And we have a total of 8 full sized Chickens. (not Banties)
Thank you as always,
for your experience and replies,
Ron