Diatomaceous Earth

[Fancypants1]

Can someone tell me more about this DE? When is it used, how is it used and why is it used?

 

[CindaLouWho]

I use food grade DE 50lb bag will last me a lifetime for $10 at the feed store. I sprinkled (like baby powder style) in the coop, under & over top of the shavings. It is a bug killer. Dehydrates the bugs. Doesn't harm chickens or pets. Also can be used mixed with dirt for dust bathing.

 

[Fancypants1]

Great - that is very helpful. Does this stop the eggs from hatching? Also, what are the chances of them getting bugs? Is there a season more "buggy" than another, does dampness/humidity clean or dirty coop make a difference? Just want to try to prevent it so I don't have to deal with it if you know what I mean. We are in MA so the summers are hot and muggy for the most part and the winters are cold and snowy.

Do you add the DM every few days or just during the major weekly cleaning of roosting posts and bedding - or do I even need to do a weekly cleaning. They are only 1 week old and are still in the brooder but I am planning on cleaning the poop out everyday and then doing a bedding change once a week - is that too often for the bedding change (one a month enough). Just trying to see what other people are doing.

 

[Fancypants1]

What do you use for a dust bath?

 

[CindaLouWho]

No, it doesn't stop eggs from hatching to my knowledge... But I'm not positive on that. I'm in southern ca, so very different climate than you. I have no idea about bugs but i think they are fairly common. I clean my coop once a week. I could go longer, but I don't. My coop is small and they ( 4 hens, 1 roo & 2 5 wk old chicks) free range, so I only have to scoop out the shavings under the roost bar. I stir the rest , add more DE and more shavings to replace what I removed. My birds dust bathe in the dirt. I don't provide anything special besides if we have a fire pit on the weekend, then I may empty the ashes into their preferred distinguished area and stir it in. They seem to like that.