diatomacious earth

[Masterjoe]

I am reading of people who are using this in their coops. Is it necessary to be ginving the chickens medications even though they are not sick, or when it is discovered that they are? If my hens are active and appear healthy should their be any need at all? Thank you for the help!

 

[cafarmgirl]

DE is not a medication, all it is is fossilized remains of diatoms. Mixing it with the bedding or dusting birds with it may help prevent mites. Should you have an outbreak of mites you will still need to treat with something effective that definitely will kill the bugs. When inhaled DE can be irritating to the respiratory tract. If chickens get sick then yes, depending on what the illness is medications can save their lives. In terms of preventative measures, deworming is a very good idea. Hens will appear healthy for a long time but if they develop a heavy load of worms their health will deteriorate. Left untreated worm infestations can kill so it's much better to stay on top of it before it gets so far as damaging a birds health.

 

[rubyredder]

Diatomaceous Earth is not a medication. It's natural and can be used for dusting and eating; internal and external pest control. It's personal preference really to use it or not as there's no real proven positive or negative effects. My bag I bought says it MAY help with parasites, increase egg production and it MAY have carcinogenic effects if inhaled.

 

[MamaKim]

We dust our coop with it when we switchout the bedding. It kills the roaches for us.