DE Questions

[FingerLakesChick]

What exactly is DE? What is it used for? How does one use it?

I've read bits and pieces about DE on this site but I just don't get the big picture. I've read about the kind they eat and the kind that kills bugs? I'm confused!!

I'm in the process of building our chicken coop. It looks to be complete by this weekend. I plan to use the deep litter method. My chickens are 5 weeks old and 3 weeks old.

Hope it's OK to post this question here as I don't know if chickens eat the stuff or dig around in it.

Thanks!!

 

[speckledhen]

The Diatomaceous Earth we use with chickens is only food grade DE. It must say "Food Chemical Codex Grade" or it is unsuitable to use. Sometimes it's almost impossible to find and people will try to sell you the stuff that's sold at Lowe's and places like that, but they dont have it. It looks like fine pure white flour, not gray, or it is not food grade. I put it in feed to keep bugs out, sprinkle it around the coop, especially under the roost to kill fly eggs and other bugs. I dust the chickens with it and put it in the run to dry up poop and help keep smells down. A place called Custom Milling has dealers around the United States, mostly in the East, I think. Here's their site and the dealer locator:
http://www.custommilling.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=5&Itemid=27

 

[FingerLakesChick]

OH MY GOD!!! I got the wrong DE!! Thank goodness I read the package before using it and thought, "How can this stuff be safe?"!! I didn't even open the package!! I'll be returning that DE to Lowes and will be on the lookout for the right DE!!

Thanks so much!!

 

[hisbride]

Thanks for the heads up about what to look for and where to use it. Our neighborhood nursery has it ordered for us. I can't wait to get mine!! Should be here Thursday.