Is it safe to use this on chickens??

[Carolrich]

Ok y'all! Yes I am live in Kentucky. I am a newbie to chicken raising just going on my 3rd year. My neighbor (we call him Chicken Bob) has raised chickens for at least 10 years along with goats. He told us to use food grade DE in our feed and sprinkled in our coop to prevent mites and internal worms. I have seen so much controversy about this. I would like some expert advice. Thank you!

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

@Carolrich
Umm your even gonna get some controversial opinions here. Some folks love it some say it does nothing. I haven’t seen a difference with it. I like permethrin. And seven dust, at least for coop. Internal, I use wazine. But I only treat when I see it. I do more maintance as a preventative. Might not be the best way but that’s what I do.

 

[coach723]

Well, I'm sure you will get some diverse opinions on this.......This is just mine, and while I respect others opposing views and their right to have them, this is my experience......
I've never found DE to be effective on anything. I live in a parasite rich environment, it just didn't work. IT DIDN'T WORK. Ended up with sick birds because I didn't treat with something that worked. Every product you use is going to have a risk/reward component. DE can cause respiratory issues/irritation, both to the humans using it and to the animals living in it. Since it's isn't effective, to me that risk is unnecessary. I'd rather use something that I know will work for what I'm trying to use it for. If you have lice/mites, you need to use something that will work, if you have internal parasites, you need to use something that works. For prevention of external parasites I use wood ash mixed into their dust bathing areas. If they actually get them, then a permethrin product, or elector PSP are my choices. For internal parasites, which I treat regularly for, I use chemical wormers. Every environment is different, two neighbors can have a completely different parasite load in their respective areas. In my humble opinion, if DE was effective it would probably end up regulated and dispensed by prescription. In my entire life, not one veterinarian has recommended to me that DE be used to treat parasites in any species. So let the opinions begin........

 

[cmom]

No, it doesn't, it has other ingredients....and I think what @chickengeorgeto is saying is that DE will not kill a parasite infestation.

Ok y'all! Yes I am live in Kentucky. I am a newbie to chicken raising just going on my 3rd year. My neighbor (we call him Chicken Bob) has raised chickens for at least 10 years along with goats. He told us to use food grade DE in our feed and sprinkled in our coop to prevent mites and internal worms. I have seen so much controversy about this. I would like some expert advice. Thank you!

I'm not an expert but I have bought 50# bags of Food Grade DE and it does help somewhat but does not kill everything. I do sprinkle it in my poop pits under my roosts which I clean out, but in between cleanings it does seem to help with keeping down the fly population but did nothing when I discovered mites. At first I thought the birds were possibly going through their molt but did clean out the coops and put some DE down. I thought maybe I should check them over when I discovered the mites. I felt so bad and started the permethrin treatment immediately. I then sprayed every nook and cranny in my coops including the ceilings, walls, floors, on and under the roosts, nest boxes inside and out, everywhere and everything with permethrin spray with repeat sprays weekly for awhile to kill any of the mites hatching eggs. Finally I haven't seen any more mites. I have gone into the coops with my headlight so I can hold the birds while inspecting them for mites that may only come out at night to feed on the birds and luckily nothing. I only found the mites in one coop but have sprayed in all of the coops. Now I do have some birds molting.

 

[MROO]

I would NOT use a yard product on skin ... any skin! If you would not be comfortable patting on your underarms or letting your kids roll around in it on the lawn, don't put it on your birds. Food grade DE is cheap - cheaper than chemical lawn treatments like the one pictured - and most feed stores sell it. Some lumber yards and garden centers sell it, too, but make sure it is labelled FOOD GRADE.