Diatomaceous Earth

[Kathy7055]

I'm new to raising chickens, I have 5 hens and 1 rooster they are 9 weeks old today. They are Red Star chickens. I wanted to make a dust bath for them and have been reading conflicting reports about DE. I'd like to have some opinions about Diatomaceous Earth. Thank you

 

[Ridgerunner]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

This is one of several topics on here where you get conflicting opinions. Some people seem to believe that DE is right up there with peanut butter and sardines on rye with yellow mustard, they greatest of all times. My opinion on DE was formed when I read that when food grade DE was used commercially the recommendation is that people wear breathing protection to keep it out of their lungs. You can probably guess where I stand on the issue.

Others are going to have different opinions on what makes a good sandwich or about using DE. Many people really do believe in DE. I don't.

 

[Kathy7055]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

This is one of several topics on here where you get conflicting opinions. Some people seem to believe that DE is right up there with peanut butter and sardines on rye with yellow mustard, they greatest of all times. My opinion on DE was formed when I read that when food grade DE was used commercially the recommendation is that people wear breathing protection to keep it out of their lungs. You can probably guess where I stand on the issue.

Others are going to have different opinions on what makes a good sandwich or about using DE. Many people really do believe in DE. I don't.

Thank you I appreciate your information.

 

[aart]

I wanted to make a dust bath for them and have been reading conflicting reports about DE.

This thread is just going to garner more conflicting opinions...maybe the same ones you've already read.
My opinion matches @Ridgerunner's (except for that disgusting sammich-haha!)

Let them dust where they will, if they have access to the ground that's not clay or rock they will likely make their own dust bath.

Buy some permethrin dust and/or spray to keep on hand in case you find pests when you regularly inspect them for external parasites.


My Bug Check notes:
Check them over regularly and real well for mites and/or lice.

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[Kathy7055]

This thread is just going to garner more conflicting opinions...maybe the same ones you've already read.
My opinion matches @Ridgerunner's (except for that disgusting sammich-haha!)

Let them dust where they will, if they have access to the ground that's not clay or rock they will likely make their own dust bath.

Buy some permethrin dust and/or spray to keep on hand in case you find pests when you regularly inspect them for external parasites.


My Bug Check notes:
Check them over regularly and real well for mites and/or lice.

Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

Thank you for all the good information