DE Poll - Do you use it? For how long have you used it?

[mrsgibber]

Do you use Food Grade DE in your coop, feed, run, etc.?

If so, for how long have you used it?

At what age did you start to use it?

What benefits have YOU noticed since using it?

Any negatives you've experienced?

I'm weighing whether to use it or not. I've only seen one article listing some cons.

 

[bluey]

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[farmerlor]

We use it all over the farm. The horses get a little in their feed to cut down on the fly population. I throw some out for the chickens to dust bathe in and put some in their feed for parasite control. I throw a little around the garden for nematode control and calcium.
The birds start getting it as soon as they're old enough to go in with the big chickens so what, maybe 12-14 weeks?
I haven't noticed any ill effects as yet.

 

[mrsgibber]

Mine are only 5 - 6 weeks old so I'll wait but I think it sounds like something I'll use.

 

[TXmom]

Mine are 10 weeks old and I've been thinking about ordering some. I'm using the deep litter method and I think it's pretty important to keep down flies, mites and other bugs.

The only "con" I've seen is possible respiratory problems from them dust-bathing and breathing it in. Has anyone had this problem?

 

[ChanceRider]

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[mrsgibber]

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[EweSheep]

How long?
2 years

What age?
6-8 weeks of age

What benefits you noticed?
cut down flies, grubs in garden, no lice or mites (except for scaley leg mites which I had to use Vicks rubs) and the chickens likes to bathe in it (with sand).

Any negatives?
Not good to breathe in directly when applied on a windy day or close quarters, its irriating to the throat. Get a face mask and do shut out your chickens outside in run while you are putting DE in their coop. Outside, not a problem at all, just make sure your back is to the wind!

 

[sandy_llg]

What is this? I just got my first chicks.

 

[mrsgibber]

Quote:
That's what I had read about it not being good to breath in. I figure if people have been using it long enough they'd know if it is irritating.