Diatomaceous Earth

[jermoatc]

Has anyone used food grade DE as a wormer for your birds? If so is it effective and how much do you give them? Im assuming you just sprinkle it on their food.

 

[BamaSilkies]

I use it but it doesnt kill all types of worms. It is mostly for roundworms. It is 5% of the amount of food sprinkle on top and stir in. It has minerals in it that make their feathers really shiny and also has calcium in it that is good for them. I feed mine DE daily. I use in the coop, on the birds and on my dog too. Its great stuff but dont be completely dependent on for worming. You need something stronger for tapes and gapes.

 

[clairabean]

I have never used it on my chickens, but we give it regularly to my barn cats.

 

[CMV]

You will get a variety of opinions on DE. Let me be the first to say it is pretty much useless. I went into poultry keeping with a very high opinion of DE. That has changed over the years to a realistic view. DE is a preventative for external parasites, and that's it. It is only effective as long as it stays dry, so as soon as it becomes even moist- it is ineffective. As an internal wormer? Nope. Utterly useless.

Sorry to be a wet blanket.

Good luck.

 

[dawg53]

DE will not prevent nor kill worms. Read this link regarding using DE as a wormer:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=576036