How to Apply DE to Chickens... hold upside down?

[zephyr66]

hi... i just bought some food grade diatomaceous earth and am going to be dusting the coop, run, nests, food and chickens with it regularly to use as mite/flea/worm control. i have an organic flock so that is why i'm going to be using DE as preventative as i've read very positive things about it if you use it as a preventative and not wait UNTIL you have a problem. my question is what is the best way to dust the chickens? my chickens aren't totally skittish but don't exactly like me holding them either. i've heard from some it's best to gently and for not very long hold them upside down and dust them being careful not to get it in their eyes. what do you all think? is this the best method? how do you all do it? i need to get their undersides as well.

thanks!

sylvia

 

[Desert Rooster]

Hi, i found this video on youtube a while back on dusting a chicken and it worked for me, hope this helps.

 

[flowergirl60]

Quote:
Wow that was a great video. Thanks for sharing.

 

[DickGJ]

I sprinkle it around the inside of the coop and also hit their dust bath areas in the run heavily with it. I find the chickens re-use those depressions they made in the ground for dust bathing so I put a good dose of DE in those depressions (and sprinkled throughout the center and edges of my run as well. When they go over to use those dust baths, they really kick up the powder and dirt and get that pretty well distributed under and over their body. Basically, I let them do it...saves me the trouble!

 

[zephyr66]

desert rooster and dickgj - thanks! the video was helpful and i'm ready to try... and, i'll keep their dust bath areas with plenty in it as well. much appreciated!

 

[speckledhen]

Usually, I just have DH hold one, raise the wings and dust under there then dust all around the butt fluff area. That's it.

 

[panner123]

When I dust the chicken, I use a paint brush to get the hard to get areas, under the wings and around the thighs. (Remember to wear a mask) Then as stated, put it in the dust bath areas.

 

[zephyr66]

thanks again - great suggestions!!

 

[tdgill]

I have heard of putting the DE in a pillow case...put chicken in pillowcase with its head out and gently hold it closed while you fluff, shake or similar to cover chicken in DE or poultry dust. Make sure to fluff pillowcase in the area of chicken's butt.