Diatomaceous earth

[MaryPoopins5]

I won't spread DE in the coop because of the potential respiratory issues(and the fact that it will kill the bugs they are trying to eat) it could cause with them kicking up dust everywhere but I sprinkle some over their food as a preventative for worms. I'm new to chickens so no first hand experience but my mom is one of those people that swears by it and has been using it for several years. I know it kills fleas and other household pests but you do have to be careful when using it. I wear a mask and wait until my chickens are out of the coop to drop a few tbsp in their food every couple of weeks.

I did speak to my pest control guy about it and he explained how it works but agreed that it was better added to food than used on bedding, in dust baths, or any area that any human/animal would likely kick it up and potentially breathe it in. For external use, other things are safer.

 

[dawg53]

I won't spread DE in the coop because of the potential respiratory issues(and the fact that it will kill the bugs they are trying to eat) it could cause with them kicking up dust everywhere but I sprinkle some over their food as a preventative for worms. I'm new to chickens so no first hand experience but my mom is one of those people that swears by it and has been using it for several years. I know it kills fleas and other household pests but you do have to be careful when using it. I wear a mask and wait until my chickens are out of the coop to drop a few tbsp in their food every couple of weeks.

I did speak to my pest control guy about it and he explained how it works but agreed that it was better added to food than used on bedding, in dust baths, or any area that any human/animal would likely kick it up and potentially breathe it in. For external use, other things are safer.

DE will not prevent nor treat worms in poultry. What it will do is empty your wallet or purse.

 

[MaryPoopins5]

DE will not prevent nor treat worms in poultry. What it will do is empty your wallet or purse.

Mine was leftover from another use I had for it so I'm going to continue to give it a try anyway. It wasn't expensive and I have a bunch left that will probably last years if it does work. If they develop worms I'll change my approach to prevention and treat them with something specifically for chickens but I trust my mom enough to take a chance on it.