Dusting with DE?

[SamG347]

We just got 50lbs of DE in the mail. I plan to completely clean the coop out...spray down with soap and water...put new shavings in....and then dust coop and birds with DE. When do the birds need a new dusting after their first? And should I try to keep it out of their eyes?
Thanks!

 

[Ladysonja]

I love DE! What a great natural product.

With regards to dusting you birds, I don't think you should put the DE directly on them or at least I haven't read anyone putting DE directly on their birds.

By covering the coop/run with DE will be enough. If your birds give themselves dust baths in the run, they will get enough on them. This way you don't have to worry about getting it in their eyes.

When I add DE, I keep it low when sprinkling because it does go every where.

Maybe someone else will chime in with their thoughts.

 

[Jenski]

My personal experience with DE is that it is very drying to the skin. I do not apply it directly to my hens, but I do add a small amount to the run floor (dirt) when I change it out regularly. The girls then dust bathe in it, and it helps prevent mite/lice infestations. I also sprinkle a small amount into the coop shavings when I change it out, and I then mix it up.

I also keep on eye on my girls' feet, as the DE can cause dryness. For that I use Vaseline on legs and feet once a week - this also helps prevent scaly leg mites.

Do be sure you are using food grade DE, as it contains less silica and is safe for pecking.

Hope that helps!

 

[ivan3]

We just mix an eighth of a cup per 40lb. shavings (mix up before putting in coop). And a couple of cups in their favorite dirt bathing locations every few months. We haven't opened our second 50lb. bag, (only 3/4 way through first) that we bought back in 3/05 - a little goes a long way. We put about 3 cups in the sand base in coop each time we rake that out and replace.

Have never had `bugs' so have never had to dust `em directly, but the DE sticks to the hands so well that you could just dip them in the bag, shake them off and handle the bird for a few moments - a dusty production line!

Oh, a 3M millipore filter mask would be handy

 

[AngelzFyre]

I put it all in the coop every time I clean it out and also in between times when I add shavings, then I also have one of those flat black feeder pans I keep filled with it and put that in on the floor of the coop. They dust in it regularly themselves and so far, so good. I've not had any problems with their skin drying out.
We've never had mites or other parasites.
If you have seen parasites/mites already...you can do what I do with sevin dust on the cats we own, and use an old tube sock filled with the DE and use it to dust down their backs and legs.
I keep that on my cats because they try to kill me if I use any of the liquid flea/tick meds!
HTH!

 

[angels4]

I put it directly on my girls where mites and lice like to hide. The vent area, wing pits, legs. Haven't encountered any problems with dry skin.

 

[SSO202]

I just ordered a 5lb bag of DE food grade and am going to be dusting my new coop with it as well. Thanks for the good comments. I'd like to hear what anyone else has to say on the topic.

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I put it directly on my birds too...never had a problem. They all are bug free and happy

I also put it in the nest boxes and on the floor and in their favorite dust bathing spots.

 

[sundance]

I use DE in my nests and when i clean the coop out I put plenty of De on the new hay. I also take a handful and put it on the roosts and I haven't had any problem with mites or anything else, for some reason this year has really been bad for flys and DE helps to keep them down to. I made a flycatcher that someone had talked about out of asodabottle and I have to say that works great. I put it on the ledge of the back poarch and it catches them before they get into the house. Love it. marrie

 

[CountryMom]

Where is a good place to order DE?