How old do chicks need to be before using DE or chick grit

[llamagirl]

I have read a lot on these posts about the benefits of food grade diatomaceous earth. I was wondering how old do chicks need to be before you start sprinkling it on their food or use it for fly control? I don't have chicks yet but, I wanted to buy this as a preventitive.
How old do they need to be before setting out grit?

 

[Omran]

Quote:
grit you can give it to them at day 1 they have it for chicks at tsc, DE I have no clue because I did not use it yet.

 

[llamagirl]

Thanks Omran! Anyone else know the answer to the DE question?

 

[homestead5er]

My chick's are three week's old and I'm using it in the brooder. When I clean it I put it on the bottom before I replace the pine chips.

 

[Mandalina]

you cna use DE after 1 week.

 

[sgarrison]

I started sprinkling mine on around 2 weeks, I use deep litter throughout fall and winter, and mix it into the bedding, and have no problems w/ bugs. etc. I have read that it is bad to inhale though so I make sure to do it when the girls are out so they don't breathe in the dust....

 

[llamagirl]

Thanks everyone for helping a Newbie.