New member from NC

[MotherHenAgain]

Hello BYCers. I'm a newbie needing advice on adding DE and I'm sure you guys can help me out. Apparently I need a food grade DE, correct? Should I put the DE in their dust bath only or treat the inside of the coop as well as their race?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Save your money. DE is touted as being this great preventive. It's not. It is a respiratory irritant. Plain old dirt is great for dust bathing.

 

[N F C]

Hello! Using DE is one of those controversial topics...some people swear by it and others don't. I personally do not use it and would not recommend it.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. I concur with the sentiments above.

 

[sourland]

Good morning, and welcome to BYC - I agree with the limited efficacy of DE.

 

[Gordonsetter2007]

Hi there, and welcome to BYC! I This is a great group, with lots of friendly knowledge to share.
I am a newbie too, so need some help; can someone tell me what DE stands for? I may recognize it if I see the name.
Thanks in advance to the kind chicken person that educates another!

 

[Isaac 0]

Hi there, and welcome to BYC! I This is a great group, with lots of friendly knowledge to share.
I am a newbie too, so need some help; can someone tell me what DE stands for? I may recognize it if I see the name.
Thanks in advance to the kind chicken person that educates another!

Welcome to BYC!

DE= diatomaceous earth

 

[Isaac 0]

I agree with what been posted, DE in my experience and many others have proven it to be ineffective, its also way to light for a dust bathing material, it'll irritate the chickens eye's and respiratory system, not to mention the coop will be a big cloud of powder.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I fell for the DE hype and bought some. Chickens make enough dust on their own, no sense adding to it. As far as dust baths: my chickens prefer cool shaded areas where the soil is cool on hot summer days. They just pick a spot that appeals to them.

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us