diatomaceous earth.....how long does it last?

[chkinut]

i'm getting ready to order some DE for the 1st time. i will have 5 standard hens and 2 bantams. should i get a 3lb bag? 5lb? 10lb? does it last FOREVER? or do they go through it pretty quick. and how exactly do u use it? sprinkle it on the dirt where they take dirt baths? put it in their food?

 

[sonew123]

Quote:
I got 20 lbs about 7 months ago and I am just running out

 

[stux2c]

So this is the first I am learning about DE. Can someone tell me what it is, what I do with it, and so on. I have a flock of 10 birds (4 Barred Rock, 4 Araucanas, 2 Red Sexlinked). I just built a 12x12 run, and I am planning onbringing in sand to cover the run. I keep reading about spreading DE in the run.

I appreciate the info.

 

[patandchickens]

How much you use depends entirely on how much you use

No, seriously.

Some people shovel the stuff around like there's no tomorrow; I've still got most of the 40 lb bag I bought 3 years ago; some people don't use it at all. And everything in between.

In terms of thinking about what you do and don't want to use it for, there are a number of good threads on the subject (try the stickied threads or 'learning center' or use 'search'), I highly recommend educating youself and *thinking for yourself* about what you want to do rather than just doing stuff because so-and-so does it or "everyone seems to be doing it".

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[cobrien]

I'd start with a small amount and experiment. I mainly use it to dry up the poops and control flies. I try to use a minimal amount to keep costs down and also because I don't like handling it, you should wear gloves and a respirator and keep the chickens away while the "dust settles". I sprinkle it around the coop and run about once a month or whenever I see flies.

Some add a little to their food to control worms. I do this too on occasion, although people say it is not really a treatment for a worm infestation, more of a mitigation strategy.

 

[teach1rusl]

Please do check with several local feed stores to see if they carry it first. If not, ask if they can order it for you. Ordering it by mail is SO expensive; the shipping is as much as the product. I paid $29 for a 50 lb. bag, and hate to see folks pay $20 for 5 lbs. (w/shipping). It's worth making some phone calls about.

I mix it liberally in their nesting bedding, their floor bedding, and in their sand box area (and even the area beside the house they've acquired as another dustbathing area). That way they are continually dusting themselves with it, and I don't have to. Oh...and some swear by for it dogs and cats to help prevent fleas.

Edited because I didn't answer the question asked...lol. It'll last forever (it's fossilized material after all). How long will it last YOU depends on the factors others have mentioned. I've had my bag for over 5 months and haven't made a dent in it. It'll probably last me a few years.

 

[DaveD]

It's already thousands of years old, I'd think it could last a little while for you

-David

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Okay, this may sound a bit gross

but does the DE do anything to upset a dogs internal system since...well...my dogs love poo of many varieties

.

I plan on free ranging my chickens and I know my dogs will be out there cleaning up

. . . . .

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Quote:

True That!!

 

[DaveD]

If your going to use DE, you absolutely must use the food grade DE. under no circumstances get the pool grade DE, because it is poisonous. The food grade is safe and can even be feed to the chickens, the dog, the humans and any sub-humans you may have running around.