Help! Confusing information regarding DE in Winter deep littering method

[DuganChicks]

I'm very new and will be getting our first chicks in March/April. I've been trying to read as much as possible to be as informed and prepared as possible. In the MileFour,

• Chickens in the Winter Ultimate Guide | Warmth, Egg Laying (milefour.com)

'Ultimate Winter Chicken Care Guide' it advises, "Carefully monitor the process and never put down diatomaceous earth in the coop when deep littering."

I have not seen that in any of the other articles or books I've read, but I have read many places where it is shared they always put down DE.

Could someone help me here? Is it safe to put DE down during the winter when planning to use the deep littering method? Thanks for any help or guidance.

- Linda

 

[CluckerFamily]

It all comes down to personal preference.
Some people will use DE and some refuse to use it.
This isn’t very helpful but it truly comes down to what you want.

 

[DuganChicks]

It all comes down to personal preference.
Some people will use DE and some refuse to use it.
This isn’t very helpful but it truly comes down to what you want.

It all comes down to personal preference.
Some people will use DE and some refuse to use it.
This isn’t very helpful but it truly comes down to what you want.

Thanks.

 

[Acre4Me]

DE is diatomaceous earth and it might be harmful to the things in deep litter that you want to break down the litter. If you look at microscopic pics of DE, you’ll see more details.

DE is not good for our respiratory systems, but you should be wearing a face mask or face respirator when cleaning out the coop anyways since one doesn’t want to inhale poop dust into the lungs.

 

[ScratchNbawk]

Prior to putting the chicks in my then freshly built coop, I noticed ants all over the dirt floor. I put some DE down and the ants were mostly gone, and the chicks were happy.
Is it harmful to the deep litter method? I don’t know . . . I applied it a few more times when I had ant flare ups this past summer. My intent was never to eradicate the ants, but to maintain control, and DE helped. I have wood chips on the bare ground and I haven’t had to replace or add anymore chips yet, and it doesn’t smell. I assume the poo must be breaking down perfectly fine?
I have an open coop so there’s plenty of ventilation, and my chickens didn’t show any signs of being effected by it.
I wore a mask during and sometime (week or so?) after my applications. I’m not sure if I’ll use it again.
As @CluckerFamily said, you should probably do your own research and decide if it’s right for you or not.

 

[DuganChicks]

Thanks!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Don't bother. DE works because its a non-reactive crystalline substance with very sharp, if microscopic, edges which scrape the protective coatings off of insects (anything with an external carapace, technically) as the brush against it, leading, eventually, to their desiccation (dehydration) and eventual death.

Sadly, when DE gets wet, it clumps, becoming almost completely ineffective.

While deep litter is slow/cold compost method, it does release enough moisture to render DE less than effective on its own. Add the effects of moisture from the chicken's droppings, and I'd argue its not effective enough to be worthy of the efforts. Better used on horizontal surfaces insects might use as raceways, up out of the flooring, or in a sand pit for dust bathing, if you are going to make use of the stuff at all.

Personally, I don't in my run - and the chickens are welcome to whatever insects they can spot and then consume. Generally, ants and roaches. I do use DE, rarely, in the garden for aphid control, and in sheltered, very dry, corners of my RV for ant and roach control - in addition to baits. DE does not work quickly. Baits do.

 

[DuganChicks]

Don't bother. DE works because its a non-reactive crystalline substance with very sharp, if microscopic, edges which scrape the protective coatings off of insects (anything with an external carapace, technically) as the brush against it, leading, eventually, to their desiccation (dehydration) and eventual death.

Sadly, when DE gets wet, it clumps, becoming almost completely ineffective.

While deep litter is slow/cold compost method, it does release enough moisture to render DE less than effective on its own. Add the effects of moisture from the chicken's droppings, and I'd argue its not effective enough to be worthy of the efforts. Better used on horizontal surfaces insects might use as raceways, up out of the flooring, or in a sand pit for dust bathing, if you are going to make use of the stuff at all.

Personally, I don't in my run - and the chickens are welcome to whatever insects they can spot and then consume. Generally, ants and roaches. I do use DE, rarely, in the garden for aphid control, and in sheltered, very dry, corners of my RV for ant and roach control - in addition to baits. DE does not work quickly. Baits do.

Thank you!