DE questions

[mickey328]

You're very welcome...hope it all works for you!

 

[7 Biddies]

Thanks, Mickey. You've been very helpful.

 

[wastintime202]

I also use dish soap in standing water for mosquitoes..seems to work pretty quickly..I don't use it in bird baths or anywhere my animals go only in rain puddles..works great !!

 

[mickey328]

That's a great idea, wastin! As long as something covers the surface of the water, the little suckers can't get their breathing apparatus out. LOL, Since I moved from the moist midwest to the dry southwest, I forget about skeeters...we have so few here...yaaaay!

 

[bluegiantsc]

UPDATE: on the DE. I sprinkled it around the coop and run on Monday. I put a little bit in their dust bathing spot and mixed it up. I sprinkled a little in their house. I dusted the rooster, he seems to be the easier one to catch. The hen is really flighty, so as I'm trying to catch her she's making all kinds of noise and the rooster thinks I'm hurting her. So he attacked me! I have a very nice bruise and cut on my leg from him (he's growing those spurs in nicely!) So, I corned him and picked him up and carried him around for a little bit. I never got to dust the hen, but the DE is all over the coop so she'll get some on her!
It was an interesting day to say the least!

 

[mickey328]

Oh my gosh, sounds like quite the procedure! LOL. I wouldn't worry though...if you have it in their bathing spot and bedding, she'll get enough on her. Also try a little in the nesting boxes. I add some each time we put down new bedding or refill their dusting boxes...and that way it's maintained nicely

 

[4 the Birds]

I use a screen sifter (the thing my wife uses to spread flour or sugar while cooking). Just be sure to wear a dust mask to keep it out of your lungs. I have also used a livestock tick/flea powder over the years and it works nicely as well. Ants have never made a presence around our coop.

 

[bluegiantsc]

@4 the Birds, When I used the last of my bag a few months ago, I put it in panty hose. I cut the foot off some panty hose so I had plenty to hold on to, then I shook it over the chickens. It worked okay, but this time I just used a little tupperware container and sprinkled it over the rooster. But a flour sifter sounds like a good idea for next time I dust them. Thanks!

@Mickey, I put it in the nest box, so I know she'll get some on her. They were also dust bathing yesterday in it, so I'm confident that they're covered in it! I put it in their house to, they sleep in there at night, and go in when it rains, so they're in contact with the DE in the bedding all the time.