Diatomaceous earth in dust bath? Help!

[Soon2BChixMom]

I should note that I don't buy wood ash, I get it from my wood burning stove.

 

[Henrybelle]

Thanks to all those who replied! I think for now I’ll take it easy with the DE.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

I am also one who won't use it. I'm an asthmatic, and I won't go near the stuff. My husband throws down the wood ash for me. I can't see if something I should wear a mask to use (like the DE) asking my chickens to bathe in it and ignore what it could/would do to their lungs.

 

[Folly's place]

Me too!!! My lungs need to be protected, and my animals don't need to inhale something like that either.
Mary

 

[llombardo]

I made the mistake of using a lot at once and yes it burns the lungs. Now I use a little at a time without problems. And never on a windy day!

 

[Little Jerry Seinfeld]

I'm going to try the wood ash, I don't know why I forgot about using it anyway, we always did that when we used to have chickens! But I think I will use de occasionally...

 

[Henrybelle]

I like the ideA of using a little bit in conjunction with the wood ash and sand/dirt

 

[Tarce123]

Like you, I've read conflicting opinions on DE. (as well as conflicting opinions on other topics) You just have to analyze all that you read and come to your own opinion and make a choice for your flock.

After all my reading, this is what I do:

Nest boxes and coop - Sprinkle a thin layer of DE, followed by a thin layer of PDZ then top with a nice fluffy layer of pine shavings.

Dirt bath (I have a tire in the run) - I have equal parts of DE, wood ash and construction sand mixed together.

Hi I am new to chickens what is PDZ

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Hi I am new to chickens what is PDZ

Sweet PDZ is a horse stall refresher. It's sold in bags like feed. It's a granular substance. Sprinkle a light layer in your coop under the bedding and on your poop boards. Great stuff!