How Often Do You Add DE to the Feed?

[Chickie Mamma]

Hello... I have some food grade DE that I usually spread around the nest boxes after cleaning them, but I noticed some of you mix it with the feed. I use Layer crumbles for 5 large birds. How often would you use it mixed with the feed and does it really help with parasites? There are so many different opinions with DE. Thanks..

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

I use it daily. When I fill the bird feeders I mix it right into that. It usually lasts about 2 days before I fill it again. I put it in the nest boxs and sprinkle it on the ground for the birds...I also have a pan set out for the birds. They dont' always use that (speically in the winter). The other animals get it daily too....the rabbits have it mixed in there feed daily, along with the pigs, sheep, llamas, horse, goats. It goes right into there feed. And then sprinkled into the bedding too for each of the animals. I give it to our dogs and cats too.
I know not everyone might agree with using it daily, but we haven't had any problems with it, so I keep doing it....
I know my mom uses it daily also with all her animals.

 

[Frizzledhen]

I mix it in the food once a month. It lasts about a week to 10 days. I also sprinkle it in the shavings once a month. I don't think chickens can OD on DE. I personally think once a month is fine unless you are having problems with lice and mites.

 

[chicken parm]

I heard DE is a good natural wormer, is that true? were do you get it?

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Quote:
Hello, yes I heard it helps with worms etc.. I have never had a bug problem or worms, so I guess it works. But up til today, I only used it to line the bottom of the house after it is cleaned. So I guess they ate it too. I only can find it online because our feed stores here do not carry it. It has to be FOOD GRADE. There is another one on the market that is used for pool filters and that will poison the flock.

 

[Sissy]

Once a month is the way I use.
and get it from cltlers supply.Twice a year total cleaning of the coop it gets dusted all over before fresh shaving go down .
but in the nest i do everyso often when I see
they need to be brushed out.
My ladies like a clean house LOL

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

On the packages I get it says you use 1 pound per 50 pounds of food daily. I have never had a bug, worm, or any other problem with any of our animals. But I do use it daily. Now obviously the birds don't go through 50 pounds of feed every other day. But it's still used daily for them.
We get our DE from a feed mill by my moms. 50 food grade DE is less than $15.00...I haven't bought it for awhile (got 3 bags last time so would have to check exact price).

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Quote:
Thats a good price! I have to have it shipped and it costs more for shipping than the actual bag. I only order 5 pounds at a time. I only have 5 birds so it does last. Thanks for all the replys!!

 

[MakNat]

DE is Great!! I use it daily as well. I had so many bad wierd problems with my birds. Then I started giving them DE and now, they are like a new flock!!!!

 

[cmom]

I personally don't put DE in my birds feed. I do sprinkle it around in their runs, coops, poop pit, where they dust bathe.