Is DE different from Lime?

[chicksgalore]

I guess it probably is but before I started reading all this about DE on this forum, we were always told to dust our coop and chickens with lime to prevent lice/mites/or whatever. I never heard of DE before. Anyone know anything about lime?

 

[LynneP]

Yes!

Never use real lime (mason's lime) around animals- very dangerous and will burn them. Terrible stuff.

You can used hydrated lime (ground limestone) , buy from a pet or agricultural source and be sure it is safe.

Alternatives are specialized products like Stable Boy and Stall-Dri, I've used both safely.

Diatomaceous Earth (DE, food grade) is wonderful in chicken coops and can be used to dust roosts, nesting boxes and bird bottoms!

Your girls may appreciate a sand box treated with DE or an appropriate poultry pesticide like Dri-Kill so they can dust themselves whenever bothered by an external pest...ours use theirs several times a day.