DE Question

[Dawn419]

Quote:
As soon as the bag gets here...

Sorry, couldn't resist!

On a serious note, I got my 50# bag of food grade DE when the chicks were a few weeks old and added it to their feed, in the pine shavings of their brooder and into the dusting box. Hope this is some help!

Dawn

 

[kayri]

Do you have to use it? This is my first year with chickens, so their coop and everything is brand new. I guess they could pick up mites from passing birds as they free range around the house whenever I'm home and I move their pen around the yard a lot. I've seen them dusting themselves and one looked a bit itchy so I looked through her feathers to see if I could see anything (not that I knew what to look for), but I didn't see anything moving under or around her wings. Do you use it in a preventive fashion? or after you suspect something?

 

[Dawn419]

Hi Kayri,

You don't have to use food grade DE, its more of a personal preference. I'm using it as a preventative with the dog, chickens & rabbits.

Hope this is some help!

Dawn

 

[kayri]

Thanks Dawn. I won't run right out and get some then, but if I see some at my feed store, I'll buy it and sprinkle it about.

 

[stormylady]

Im confused I was told yesterday that Food DE does not kill mites fleas or any of those little critters.
I have read and been told that it did take care of those things. even with the internal parisites. worms and such. So which is it Yay or nay! I just don't know what to believe! thanks for your help.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

You have the dangerous stuff. Food grade or codex is the only thing you should come in contact with. I have a page on DE on my BYC page (last page) that tells you what it is.

The food grade has about 1 to 2 percent of the little critters.

 

[Dawn419]

Quote:
I've been using food grade DE with my chickens, rabbits, dog and self since June 2007. If you get a chance, check out my page on how and where I use it (it contains links to several helpful articles also)...Food Grade DE

I've never had a problem with lice or mites in the flock as opposed to the land lady, who has a mini-farm behind us, and always seems to have these problems with her birds.

Hope this helps!


Dawn

 

[stormylady]

thanks so much Dawn! I will check out the places you suggested I really apprieate it alot.
Stormylady

 

[jbowyer01]

If you are unable to find DE this is what I use in my coop and it works great plus its more economical in price.

http://www.sweetpdz.com

 

[stormylady]

Thank you jboyer01 for the reply I will check in to that!