Is it ok for DE to have silica in it? Will it still kill mites?

[turkey girl 0964]

Yesterday I got a fifty lb bag of DE. This one has silica in it. What is that? Will it affect the chickens? Will it still kill the mites?

 

[Kiki]

DE pretty much sucks for killing mites.

Can you get some permethrin?

 

[nuthatched]

Yes, silica is also used to kill mites. Use sparingly, DE can be hazardous to you and your chickens.

 

[turkey girl 0964]

DE pretty much sucks for killing mites.

Can you get some permethrin?

Where would I buy it? Would they have it at the feed store? And what type should I buy?

 

[Kiki]

Where would I buy it? Would they have it at the feed store? And what type should I buy?

Tsc and my local feed stores carry.
I buy these:

 

[turkey girl 0964]

I found a brand called Gordons on TSC will that be ok?

 

[Kiki]

I found a brand called Gordons on TSC will that be ok?

Perfect. It will work.
If you're buying a concentrated kind you will have to mix it with water to spray each and every bird and the entire coop weekly for no less than 3 weeks.

 

[Kiki]

I prefer the pre-mixed bottles I have pictured above... The spray bottles because there's no calculating and mixing involved.

 

[turkey girl 0964]

I prefer the pre-mixed bottles I have pictured above... The spray bottles because there's no calculating and mixing involved.

Ok! Thanks! So I just spray it on them. Is it ok for chicks?

 

[Kiki]

Ok! Thanks! So I just spray it on them. Is it ok for chicks?

Yes... permethrin is much safer than DE.