How Much Diatomaceous Earth to Use?

[pwog]

Hi All,

I have been going through the posts on Diatomaceous Earth, but I can't find how much I should use. I use pine shavings in my coop.

Any advice?

P

 

[VelvettFog]

Quote:
Why do you want to use DE?

What problem/issue are you trying to solve with it?


Don't just use stuff because other folks use stuff. I don't use DE at all (yet). I don't have a problem with moisture or mites. (the two things I see/hear folks using DE for)



Fog

 

[pwog]

Well, That is why I want to use it (mites and Moisture) - I already got a 50 lb bag (food grade). I figured I would be proactive.

 

[SC-ChickMom]

Hobby Farms Magazine uses DE in a recipe for a dust bath.

1 part of fine sand
1 part ashes
1 part garden soil (no fertilizer)
1 part DE

Mix together for a dust bath.

 

[Nicole01]

I love DE! It's one of the best products ever for chickens. Not only does it prevent mites, fleas, bugs, flies, bugs, ect... It keeps the odor down. I have not had one single bug in the coop, not even a fly. It takes care of internal worms if eaten too.

I sprinkle a little on the concrete floor then add my chips. I will add more DE every two weeks, but I try and use it sparingly. It's very dusty! I wear a mask when cleaning the coop or using DE. DE is 100% natural, but make sure it's food grade. It's great for human use too, but I've never tried it. I guess it detoxifies your body.

 

[billl2099]

Quote:
i agree, love the stuff. i also feed it to the feral cats as a dewormer,

 

[Klwright1122]

So...I bought a 40 pound bag the other day too... We have gotten so much rain this month and with the humidity--my run and coop are smelly, flies, etc... I have the "fine" DE. Can I put it in a fertilizer spreader and spread it my coop that way...or do I have to rake it in...mix it up, etc.?

 

[clanreed]

Quote:
I think you will find that the DE is to fine for the fertilizer spreader. To spread DE in the garden or on the animals(goats and dogs), we have always used a very fine kitchen sieve.


~Shannon

 

[Moonkssd]

I use a fertilizer spreader for mine in my runs and in my dog run as well and it does a great job

 

[kschicks2013]

Is it okay to sprinkle the DE in the sand and rake it to mix it?