Diatomaceous Earth... When, how, and if I should use it in my coop and run.

[ChickenShepherd_6116]

First off, sorry if I didn't put this in the right section, I didn't really know where I should post this thread...
So a long while ago, when I first got chickens, I got some Diatomaceous Earth to put in my homemade feed, which I didn't end up doing, and now I have unused Diatomaceous Earth. I'm not 100% sure whether or not it is food grade, but it is supposed to be used on farm animals. I have heard that it is good for keeping mites away, but I have also heard that it is bad for their lungs. I am thinking that it is probably only bad for them if I use too much or use it in the wrong way. One way I have heard of people using it is inside their coop, to keep mites away. I want to use it up, but in a productive and safe way. I don't want to waste it or hurt my hens. How should I go about using it? What are the different uses and methods? My coop bedding is shavings from TSC, do I put Diatomaceous Earth on that to help keep it clean? How often should I use it? I kind of have a dust bathing spot (I put sand inside an old tire), should I put Diatomaceous Earth into that? Would it be helpful at all to my hens health if I just sprinkled Diatomaceous Earth around their run to help keep mites away? The run floor is just the natural dirt, which is quite rocky.
These are all just wild guesses for ways to use it, as I stated above, I have never used it, nor do I know how to use it, so any tips is greatly appreciated!

 

[DLA]

While my chickens are out of the coop and run, I'll sprinkle some around and mix it in the bedding to keep pests away. I put in the bottom of the nest boxes and around the roosts too and try to specifically get it in any cracks where bugs might hide. You should wear a mask and goggles while applying so you don't breathe it in or get it in your eyes. I do this about twice a year and have never had a problem with respiratory issues in my chickens. It's also good to sprinkle some in their dust bath area. You don't need a lot, I have a large coop and average size run for 9 chickens and I use a few handfuls in each part. I also use it in the garden on my zucchini as we have a real squash vine borer problem and it helps keep them under control somewhat. I try to keep it away from the flowers though as I don't want the pollinators to be harmed.