How much DE to put in run and coop?

[ostroh]

We are new backyard chicken owners, 4 of them at 8 weeks old. our coop and run is a work in progress and trying to get the perfect balance. right now we have pine shavings in the coop and dirt on the run floor (over hardware cloth). i realized, they dont have any place to take a dust bath! so i shoveled in some fresh dirt, but how much DE should i be putting in there? sprinkle? pour?
how often should i clean out the coop? how often should i clean the run, or just add sand over it then scoop poop?
there is poop everywhere.....

 

[iwiw60]

As for a place for their dirt bath, why not buy one of those 'cheapy' plastic play pools for kids, kinda sink it in the dirt a few inches, load up with sand, wood ashes, and sprinkle some DE in there. Here's a few other ideas:





And here's a page with all sorts of info:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/01/chicken-dust-baths-ultimate-spa.html





As for cleaning your coop...me personally? I light-rake my pine shavings every other day, than once a week do a complete sweep-out and put in fresh. If you don't you're going to be plagued with flies, etc., not to mention your coop will smell..eek! Best of luck to you!!