Natural Dewormers?

[BoiseBubba]

Quote:
Diotemacious Earth ( I know, Iknow) I didnt spell it right.....

 

[PhlyinPheBee]

I also have been wondering what DE was....Thanks.

Where do you get DE???

 

[lavandula girl]

You can get Diatomaceous Earth at some really well stocked feed stores. It's also a staple in natural garden stores. Look for it in the organic section, as it's often used as a pest control in organic gardens. I think if a chicken has a really heavy worm load, you'll see shedding in their poop. They'll be feeling the effects well before that, though. Weight loss and anemia are good indicators, especially if you're still seeing them eat. As to whether the others would also have it, I'd err on the side of yes. Intestinal parasites are often found in their surroundings, so if one got a chance to eat the affected food source, they probably all did. (Tapeworm is a good case in point - they can easily pick this up from a free range session).

Edited to add: Using DE in the coop and in the run is a great way to keep the fly population down, I find. Although it doesn't have as much effect on the adult flies, it kills maggots.

 

[ntiveheart]

please remember when using DE..........make sure the DE you use is FOOD GRADE ONLY.

 

[sonew123]

Are these un cooked seeds? WHere do you know that sells just plain pumpkin seeds..how about growing our own pumpkins and taking their seeds for this? What if I bought a pumpkin and took its seeds? do they have to be dried seeds or can they be fresh chewy seeds? chop them up too? interesting..

 

[phalenbeck]

I cut a garden pumpkin in 1/2 and gave them the whole thing. They loved it after they stoped being afraid of it. I also got raw pumpkin seeds at the bulk nut dept at a regular regional chain grocery. I see no reason to dry or process, after all these birds eat worms, bugs, styrofoam, mice.

 

[sonew123]

NOW i KNOW WHAT iM PLANTING PLENTY OF THIS SPRING--ENOUGH TO SAVE SOME TO MAKE IT THROUGHT E WINTER TOO...is thisd something you would feed a little everyday or just once in a while? whole seeds right?

 

[Blue_Myst]

@ RooptyDo - That's a great idea! I'll be sure to look there if I can't find the plain pumpkin seeds. And to think I had a ton of these last October and got rid of them!

Can you please tell me what DE is? I'm new & feel dumb asking but I really want to know...lol

Everyone has basically covered everything about DE, but here's a link to a really good webpage about DE in case you haven't seen it yet: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1560-Food_Grade_DE​

 

[Chickenmaven]

I have found pumkin seeds at the health food store.

 

[foxyk91]

Quote:
Everyone has basically covered everything about DE, but here's a link to a really good webpage about DE in case you haven't seen it yet: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1560-Food_Grade_DE

Thank you all for explaining this to me Very interesting. I grow pumpkins so I have that covered. Now I'll just have to by the DE.