Does everyone out there use diatomaceous earth?

[Yay Chicks!]

Also, just because it always needs to be said, please use Codex Food Grade DE, also known as Fossil Shell Flour. The only manufacturer I've seen of this is Perma Guard. Don't use the kind made for pools and be careful of kinds that are sold in the pesticide section as they can contain additives.

 

[Judy]

Here is my favorite post on DE:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=6095985#p6095985

 

[welasharon]

Well I wasted my money on it once but not again.

 

[Steadfast]

I will get a bag of food grad DE and spread it all over the inside of the run.
Then I toss out several cups of yummy corn scratch on top of the DE...
The chickens tare into the scratch sending the DE flying!
A huge cloud of DE forms and covers the chickens the run the surrounding area....
They even eat some... And we are bug free inside and out!

Plus it is fun to watch

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

My H wants to know if it is a waste of money?

Tell him "Yes"​

 

[M.sue]

Quote:
Tell him "Yes"

I think it's a waste of money if you are using it as a worm-er. If your chickens have worms, properly medicate them. If you are using it as a preventative for bugs such as mites in the coop as I do and many others.... it's worth the money. A little goes along ways!!

 

[hensandchickscolorado]

So many people on BYC swear by it so I bought some for my coop. I bought a big bucket full (I think it's 30 lbs? Maybe 25?) for $30. I'm halfway through it, and have been using it since May. I sprinkle it in my run once a week or so as well as in the coop. I've never had a "dust" problem. I did hear of someone using a flour sifter to put it in--seems like a good idea.

It definitely keeps flies down. My coop never seems to have odor unless it rains, so I'm guessing it helps with that too. I have no idea about worms as I'm not sure how to tell if chicks have them (another post, I know). But, it's not expensive for how long it lasts and I suppose it can't hurt if you buy the right kind

.

 

[KDK1]

Quote:
I use the ketchup and mustard bottles like you would find in your local diner.(sqeeze type). You can find them at the dollar stores. They put out a fine stream that spreads out nicely when it hits the clean coop floor and nest boxes with very little dust. Cover with fresh shavings. They are great for applying directly to your birds too.

 

[gale65]

I buy sugar in these big plastic canisters (I think it's a 4 lb canister-domino brand). I poked a bunch of holes in the lid of an empty one. I put the DE in the canister and put the lid on and just shook it out all over.

 

[geoff40]

Do you have Blue Seal stores nearby? Every one of them I've been in to around here carries it. Food grade. I tried it a few years back, but I think fine wood ash accomplishes the same exact things DE does. Plenty of that to be had in any woodstove. I think it's mostly hype.