My smelly chicken run...

[SandyK]

That's what I would suggest in addition to the DE. Turn the run, the chickens will help and they love it. It gives them something to do. If the dirt is really hard, work some sand in it to help it dry faster after a wet spell. Not that we would know about that here in MD. We haven't had rain in weeks and weeks, I've lost count. So ours is a dust bowl for sure. I went and bought the girls a box fan today. I hate seeing them so hot.

 

[n3kms]

Obviously, I'm confused, so I have to ask for future reference. I thought that lime was used to reduce the acidity caused by the chicken poop and DE was used to kill bugs. What are the other purposes of the two, please?

 

[SandyK]

DE helps kill the flies and dry things out I thought.

 

[myminicooper]

Food grade DE kills bugs by drying them out, and it does the same for the chicken poop. I use it in my run and coop with the DLM. Lime i'm not sure about I've never used it.

And on a side note. Nothing is really safe for your lungs except oxygen. You should always take precautions when there is stuff flying around that you can breath in.

 

[JanetSmithery]

I don't know that it matters seeing that diatomaceous earth kills bugs either way...but it doesn't kill by desiccation. It kills them through suffocation. Diatomaceous earth is made up of the silica 'skeletons' of diatoms, and--as such--are exceedingly small. The diatoms are actually small enough to get into the insect's spiracles (the openings along its thorax, abdomen, and/or legs that let it breathe...kinda like our nostrils, I guess). The diatoms then interfere with the spiracles valve function, making it difficult for them to open and close. Eventually, it will clog the insect's tracheal tubes, and gas exchange becomes impossible.

Weird random aside...sorry!

 

[cogorman]

I grew up in little town on the Central Coast of California called Lompoc. Lompoc has one of the highest deposits of DE in the world. Some of the hills look like they have deposits of snow. We played in and around it, and when the wind blew the right direction, the dust tailings from the mines would cover our cars and plants (no aphids on moms roses!). Many of my friends and their parents and grandparents are still there, alive and well. I don't remember any reports of health problems or cancer clusters, and I never had dry skin or abrasions. Even with that personal testimony I would not over expose myself to any dust. But DE is great stuff. Google "diatoms" and click on Images to see what the little creatures look like magnafied...little complex glass sculpures!

From eHow.com:

"Know what DE will kill and won't kill and how it works. When considering DE as a pest control product, it can be safely used around all types of animals and is only deadly for pests like insects. It is not harmful to earthworms. Among the list of pests that it kills and repels are: ants, termites, slugs, snails, fleas, fly maggots, aphids. bed bugs, mites, ticks, roaches, earwigs, scorpions, cutworms, ear worms, lawn grubs, grass hoppers, and many more. It does not kill due to a chemical action like most toxic poisons but rather kills by the structure of its sharp microscopic edges. The hard bodies of the pests are sliced open by the material and it literally drys them out and they die. Complete insect control may take several days as the insects die off, but whereas chemical poisons act fast and have a short residual effect, diatomaceous earth, while working slower will remain active and nontoxic as long as it remains in the environment."



Read more: How to Use Diatomaceous Earth safely for Pest Control | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5049476_use-earth-safely-pest-control.html#ixzz0t3fOrmD6

 

[thefamilyflock]

Quote:
I don't know where you are located, but I found food grade DE at Horse and Hound in Granby. It was $22.00 for 40 lbs.

 

[Sweety Petey]

Thanx I will give the baking soda a try!

 

[jackson41]

Use SAND!