Diatomaceous Earth....

[DarleneE]

Help please.. I put diatomaceus earth on the pine shavings in my two girls coop and put some in their feed and water yesterday and today they have diarrhea??!! I've also noticed them with their mouths open a lot. Does anyone know what could be the problem?? They're eating fine otherwise. I didn't really put very much of that stuff in their food or water PLUS it said it does not harm them..?? Could it just be a shock to their system at first?? I also gave them about two teaspoons of plain yogurt and a little fresh cooked corn yesterday..could any of those be the problem?? I'm worried cause they never have had any diarrhea before. They're about 16 weeks old now. Thank you.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Hello. Make sure that you bought food grade DE and not the pool kind, just to double check. Food grade DE should not harm them to eat a little but, why are you putting it into their food and water?

DE does not work when wet so I can not think of any reason why you would want to out it in water. Some people feed it but the science does not really support that it works as a de-wormer. DE isn't toxic but it works by pulling the moisture out of things so it can cause dehydration. I would stick to using it in bedding as an external parasite preventer unless you have some other reason for feeding them DE.

 

[DarleneE]

I see. I didn't know about the water but I just put fresh water now anyway. I put it in their food because I was told and read that it's a natural dewormer and thought it would be a good idea?? I will give them fresh feed now without it. Thank you!!

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Read about it and decide for yourself what is best but I haven't found anything that really supports the de-worming theory other than hear-say. And again, it is not toxic if you don't want to toss out feed.

 

[DarleneE]

Is there anything I should give them for the diarrhea?

 

[DarleneE]

Ooooh and yes it's food grade bought at the feed store btw.

 

[dawg53]

I see. I didn't know about the water but I just put fresh water now anyway. I put it in their food because I was told and read that it's a natural dewormer and thought it would be a good idea?? I will give them fresh feed now without it. Thank you!!

You received misinformation about DE. It will not prevent nor treat worms. It helps deterring insects in feed and helps keep feed dry. It is ineffective when wet as ChickensRDinos stated.
The reason why your chickens have their mouths open is because it has been hot, this is normal. It'll get even hotter during the summer and they will also open their wings away from their body. I recommend that you rig a box fan in the chicken pen to help get air circulating. If they free range, they'll usually dig a hole in the shade and lay in the cool dirt or they'll get under a bush.
The diarrhea in this instance is most likely from your birds drinking a lot of water during the heat. They'll usually have watery brown diarrhea. I recommend that you provide them electrolytes during periods of hot temps to replenish vitamins and minerals lost in the diarrhea. Also, stop the yogurt and cooked corn. Yogurt has a tendency to pass through them and cooked corn doesnt help. They are 16 weeks old and they should still be fed chick starter/grower feed only.

 

[DarleneE]

dawg53, Thank you SO much for the information. Funny you mentioned the fan because we just bought them a fan!! I keep it on all day. This particular chicken, my Easter Egger has always seemed to open her mouth a lot when she gets nervous like when I pick her up sometimes and when she is hot so I DO think you're right. I just worried because normally she'll close it again.. not like now that it's mostly open!!?? The Barred Rock is opening hers little bit but NOTHING like the other one. They eat chick starter feed from their feeder.. but I just gave them a little treat with that yogurt and corn which I will NOT be doing again anytime soon!! They did LOVE that though.. they ate like little pigs with such enthusiasm!! I DO know however that they're at a critical time in their growth period and REALLY need to eat their feed which has all the nutrients they need. I will stick to just an occasional boiled egg to split between the two and they also have a small bowl of scratch that they pick thru. They seem OK otherwise. They're eating and everything..but the diarrhea was basically clear water with the green more formed center. It really worries me still I have to admit. I LOVE these girls to death as you can tell and am a first time chicken owner so I worry about EVERYTHING!! Thank you SO much for taking the time to write to me!! It's very much appreciated!!

 

[DarleneE]

dawg53,
I'm sorry but I rambled on and forgot to ask you what do I give them to replenish electrolytes??

 

[dawg53]

I sent you a PM.