How to use DE (Diatomaceous Earth)

[LauraQM]

Newbie question! Exactly how do you “use” DE? I’ve seen a couple things that say dust a bird or put it in their food but I’m honestly not sure how to do either?? Amounts, techniques?

(They currently have no issues of infestation, I saw red spiders and thought they were mites but they are the spider kind - they are out in daylight.

Looking for preventative measures for pests in general.)

Thanks in advance!

 

[DobieLover]

The only thing I use DE for is to keep grain mites out of my seed. I just put about a tsp in the bag and mix it up.
The best prevention for lice and mites on chickens is making sure they have a good place to dust bathe. Just use plain old dirt. If your area is too compacted for them to dig their own bath sites, take a pick ax to it and break it up. You can add sand and/or a cheap bag of top soil to it as long as it is loose and they can get it down to their skin.
DE is a respiratory irritant to chickens and it won't prevent external or internal parasites.

 

[LauraQM]

The only thing I use DE for is to keep grain mites out of my seed. I just put about a tsp in the bag and mix it up.
The best prevention for lice and mites on chickens is making sure they have a good place to dust bathe. Just use plain old dirt. If your area is too compacted for them to dig their own bath sites, take a pick ax to it and break it up. You can add sand and/or a cheap bag of top soil to it as long as it is loose and they can get it down to their skin.
DE is a respiratory irritant to chickens and it won't prevent external or internal parasites.

Thanks! Didn’t realize it’s a respiratory irritant. My girls do have sand and dirt (coastal SC)