Is a dust bath necessary if you have a deep litter coop?

[gtaus]

That's a fantastic attitude for life in general.

Yes, I've been married to the same woman for 30+ years. She appreciates it when I change my attitude and see things her way. When I'm wrong, I'm wrong. When she's wrong, she's still right. Learned to live with it many years ago....

 

[AmyJane725]

Yes, I've been married to the same woman for 30+ years. She appreciates it when I change my attitude and see things her way. When I'm wrong, I'm wrong. When she's wrong, she's still right. Learned to live with it many years ago....

Do you have any sons in the 27 year old range?

 

[trumpeting_angel]

I don't understand that because almost everyone recommends using DE. In fact, there is even a food grade DE. I can't remember what the local farm store carries, but I think it's labeled livestock DE. I can't imagine them selling DE for livestock if it is an inhalation hazard!?

There’s a lot of mythology out there. There is research that shows it’s an irritant to their respiratory systems, so I don’t use it. It is edible, but that doesn’t involve the respiratory system. It is heavily touted as a “natural” pesticide.

Look around the feed store, or the grocery store. They sell lots of things that aren’t good for us, or our livestock! If there’s a market, they sell it.

ETA: I should have read to the end of the thread before posting. I see it has been well-covered.

 

[Shadrach]

Actually, the only thing I was thinking about was parasite control. So I'm learning a lot today.

If dust bathing eradicated mites and lice then there would be no need for products such as Permethrin. We could just chuck loads of dust over them as they do when they bath and the problem would be solved.

 

[gtaus]

Do you have any sons in the 27 year old range?

Unfortunately, no. Somebody looking for young human rooster in his prime?

 

[gtaus]

I should have read to the end of the thread before posting. I see it has been well-covered.

Actually, sometimes it is better just getting the first opinion from someone, before they change their mind from reading everyone else. Too often people get trapped in a group think. Which is why I always consider an opposing viewpoint.

Look around the feed store, or the grocery store. They sell lots of things that aren’t good for us, or our livestock! If there’s a market, they sell it.

Or, they create a market for it. I'm thinking about Crisco oil, originally made as a machine lubricant. Rebranded for cooking food in our deep fryers!?

 

[gtaus]

If dust bathing eradicated mites and lice then there would be no need for products such as Permethrin. We could just chuck loads of dust over them as they do when they bath and the problem would be solved.

So, are you pro or anti-DE? My birds do not have any parasites at this time. I'm thinking of preventative measures over the long term.

 

[Shadrach]

So, are you pro or anti-DE? My birds do not have any parasites at this time. I'm thinking of preventative measures over the long term.

I'm very anti DE. Not only is there no empirical evidence that it works, there are studies that have suggested that there may be health problems associated with it's use for chickens and humans.

 

[Shadrach]

So, are you pro or anti-DE? My birds do not have any parasites at this time. I'm thinking of preventative measures over the long term.

There have been a number of studies looking at natural products aimed at the reduction of risk regarding parasite load. You could probably find them if you used Google Scholar.
One of the problems that keeping chickens in coops poses is the parasites have a home and once established with a regular food supply, naturally enough are reluctant to leave.
Coop hygiene can go a long way to prevent the build up of parasites. Chickens spend a lot of time grooming and usually deal with a few parasites in the grooming process. Those that live up trees where I am tend not to get the usual parasites found in coop kept chickens. They don't have to shuffle around in their own poop and should a parasite take up residence on a branch the chickens move to another branch.

 

[gtaus]

One of the problems that keeping chickens in coops poses is the parasites have a home and once established with a regular food supply, naturally enough are reluctant to leave.

This is why I was considering using DE in the dust bath inside the coop. I've been watching a number of YouTube videos and seeing people sprinkle DE on the litter in the coop as a preventative to mites and lice. I was thinking that if I put it just in the dust bath, they would naturally track it around the rest of the coop and bedding. But I was not aware of all the negative comments on DE that people here on BYC have brought up.