Have Access to DE...

[catdaddy66]

... but once I get it, what can I do with it? I have read many uses that members on BYC have tried with it but have never used it myself. I have heard of some of its uses nutritionally, as additive to deep litter shavings and others that I can't recall at this moment. I will do a search on the site, but wonder if a)someone has a list of uses, and b) an online or local supplier I could buy regularly from (my cousin has a couple of lbs that he's giving me). Thanks a lot!

 

[MustLoveHens]

I use DE and love it. I get it off Amazon. Also, check with your local family owned gardening center. I say family owned because Home Depot, Mendards, Lowes and those places don't carry it. I can have my local nursery order it for me if I want, but at the time, I did not need a 50# bag. this spring I will get them to order it for me. For nutritional purposes or internal parasite control you have to use food grade DE. I got that from Jeffers Pet or Amazon carries it as well and the package clearly states food grade DE.
Avoid "pool grade" DE.
As far as uses go, I use it to dust my carpets for fleas, dust the dogs to deflea them, dust my garden, potted veggies and plants, dust the roses, sprinkle it in the rabbits littler pan to detur fleas, sprinkle it in the coop, and sprinkle or dust around the property to kill fly larva.

 

[axion_lotus]

Sorry to interrupt, but I have a question.

Exactly what is DE? I'm curious.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Google is your friend. diatomaceous earth

 

[rancher hicks]

Here's a posting from another about my use for DE. Hope it helps.

Mites come out at night so make sure all roosts are treated. This I've read can be a vaseline rub though I've read of using used motor oil. I suppose mineral oil would work and you could brush it on. Get it into all cracks and crevices where mites like to hide.

Vaseline has been recommended for the legs and feet of all birds.

DE food grade to dust all birds can help too. I dust all nest boxes on a regular basis, but you want to keep them dry. I usually leave them with out hay for a few days if they get soiled and throw some dust in the new hay so girls lay in an nice dust bath. I also spread DE around in the corners and sprinkle some in the wood chips that go on the floor. I suppose a good stiff paint brush will help get it into the corners.

In the warmer dry weather when I see them in their dusting holes, I go over and dump some on them and in the hole, retreating if things get wet. Once things dry out again.

I also use DE in the scratch to keep it moth free and dry. I store it in a metal garbage can but for some reason the moth things are hard to prevent. If anyone has a solution for this problem I'd be glad to hear it.

I haven't anywhere to keep 50 birds while I spray and let the coop dry for two days, so to me and constant prevention method works best. Mites will come whether we like it or not so it's best to keep them in check.

Again as always you have to do what works for you. Not everyones' situation is the same. So far I've not seen any mites though I've checked but I can't say they're not there from what I've read. I just keep up my defenses.

Wish you the best

Rancher

 

[axion_lotus]

Fred's Hens :

Google is your friend. diatomaceous earth

Thanks, Fred's Hens.

I tried that, but Google wasn't making any discernible sense based on the context clues of the prior statement. Something about the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the Federal Republic of Germany. I doubt you can buy that from a feed supply store and use it to treat mites.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Quote:
Thanks, Fred's Hens.

I tried that, but Google wasn't making any discernible sense based on the context clues of the prior statement. Something about the country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for the Federal Republic of Germany. I doubt you can buy that from a feed supply store and use it to treat mites.

You might not be able to find DE just everywhere and ordering is expensive, because of the shipping. I went into a hardware store this past fall and lo and behold, there was 8 bags at close out price. Excellent. (except they won't have any more) I'll have enough to dust the coup and the garden for awhile, but I will still need a reliable source when this stash is gone.

 

[Judy]

There are threads on DE linked on the FAQ page. It is the skeletons of tiny marine animals; under a microscope it is full of sharp scratchy spikes.

There is a negative side. Personally, I won't spend the money again. I've had a large bag for several years and still have a lot left.

First, be sure you buy food grade. The stuff they use in pool filters is really harmful.

It is quite dusty to handle, and it is recommended you not inhale it, which means your chickens shouldn't be inhaling it either, and you should wear a mask when handling it. It is sometimes added to feed as a drying agent. I have never seen any research indicating it is effective against worms when fed to chickens. Stall-Dri and agricultural lime are a lot cheaper than DE and also work well as litter drying agents and for odor control.

It does work in the garden against caterpillar-type pests.

 

[mkeawsh]

I get a 20 lb bag from the swimming pool supply. DE is used in the filters of swimming pools.

 

[mkeawsh]

Quote:
I have been using the what I get at the supply for six years. You have to read what it says on the package. There are different grades.