Diatomaceous Earth Whitewash Chicken Bath?

[ClickerChick]

So first of all, my chickens have lice (Ugh!). I bought some DE (food grade) to sprinkle in their dust bathing areas, however I was wondering if there was another way to apply it to chickens. The instructions say you can make a white wash out of it to apply to a coop, but could I just wash the chickens in it as well to get rid of the lice? Or would it work to use it straight as a powder on the bird?

I really need to rid my flock of lice. I'll be hatching some eggs in a few weeks, and I don't want the chicks to accidentally get infested. I've had chicks die from lice infestation. Also, poultry are not allowed to go to fair if they have lice. Any other ways you can suggest to help me rid my flock of these pests? I have the manna pro poultry protector spray, however it oinly says to use as a preventative. I can't find anywhere where anyone says it actualky works to treat the lice.

Just thinking of the possibilities. Plus my chickens need baths anyways after the muddy season. Thanks for any help in advance!

 

[DylansMom]

So first of all, my chickens have lice (Ugh!). I bought some DE (food grade) to sprinkle in their dust bathing areas, however I was wondering if there was another way to apply it to chickens. The instructions say you can make a white wash out of it to apply to a coop, but could I just wash the chickens in it as well to get rid of the lice? Or would it work to use it straight as a powder on the bird?

I really need to rid my flock of lice. I'll be hatching some eggs in a few weeks, and I don't want the chicks to accidentally get infested. I've had chicks die from lice infestation. Also, poultry are not allowed to go to fair if they have lice. Any other ways you can suggest to help me rid my flock of these pests? I have the manna pro poultry protector spray, however it oinly says to use as a preventative. I can't find anywhere where anyone says it actualky works to treat the lice.

Just thinking of the possibilities.

Plus my chickens need baths anyways after the muddy season.

Thanks for any help in advance!

Once you have an infestation of poultry lice DE will not help at all. It has some value as a preventative, but it will not help once the problem is already established. You need Poultry dust or Sevin dust to get rid of them. Dust the coop, the roosts, nest boxes, dust baths and the chickens themselves, especially under the wings and around the vent.

 

[MARANMAN2011]

Seven dust in nesting boxes and roosts also use de white wash after to paint inside of coop and roosts.

 

[MARANMAN2011]

Sorry also seven dust the hens.

 

[dawg53]

Seven dust in nesting boxes and roosts also use de white wash after to paint inside of coop and roosts.

You dont need to white wash anything if sevin dust is used. Sevin dust will kill lice on contact.

 

[DylansMom]

You dont need to white wash anything if sevin dust is used. Sevin dust will kill lice on contact.

X2

 

[ClickerChick]

I know many people swear by sevin dust, however I have also read that it can be dangerous to the birds. Any truth to this? Also where can I find it? I think I read somewhere that it can be found in the garden section? What would it be used for in the garden? Also I forgot to mention that I was wanting to get some poultrty dust next time I go to the feed store, however I haven't gotten around to it yet. :/ Is the sevin dust more effective than this?

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Folly's place]

Either permethrin or carbaryl will work fine. The permethrin is the only approved insecticide for chickens, and there is now a withdrawal time listed (which I don't remember!). Sevin (carbaryl) is not approved for use here for chickens, but it works very well, and is safe for the birds. Wear a good face mask when spreading any dust!!!

 

[Just sayin]

DE dust kills exoskeleton bugs when it is dry... it does not work wet. If you dust the coop or the chickens with it, do it dry.

 

[DylansMom]

I know many people swear by sevin dust, however I have also read that it can be dangerous to the birds. Any truth to this? Also where can I find it? I think I read somewhere that it can be found in the garden section? What would it be used for in the garden? Also I forgot to mention that I was wanting to get some poultrty dust next time I go to the feed store, however I haven't gotten around to it yet.

Is the sevin dust more effective than this?

Thanks for the replies!

Both poultry dust and Sevin dust usually have the same active ingredient, so they are equal. Sevin is easier to find, since it is used to kill insects on vegetable and flower plants, it can be found at Lowes, True value, Walmart, and almost anyplace else with a garden dept. I experimented with both Sevin and DE, I get alot of barn swallows and their young are generally infested with lice. It was easy to get lice from their empty nests after the young swallows fledged. I bagged some up in ziplocks w/ DE and with Sevin. The Sevin killed them, the DE did not and it was dry.