One Hen with Dirty Butt Feathers (Updated with Pics)

[Judy]

Quote:
I don't like that they don't tell you what is in it. Usually you can buy "poultry dust" in the feed store (permethrin/pyrethrin dust,) or Adams flea and tick spray, same ingredients, at the Vet's or even Wal-mart. But these are chemical treatments, and DE is nonchemical, and will also work as a dust.

More on DE (and some less expensive sources, though it is never cheap

http://www.custommilling.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=24&Itemid=27 (this is where I bought my last bag.)

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1560-Food_Grade_DE

http://www.freshwaterorganics.com/what_is_de.htm

DE is great, but be sure you read up here first, if you are not familiar with it; you could buy the wrong kind and cause serious problems.

 

[Sillystunt]

i found DE FOOD GRADE on ebay....prices were good! And i shopped around!

and these sites....

http://www.planetnatural.com/site/pest_problem_solver.html

http://www.gardenharvestsupply.com/product/diatomaceous-earth-food-grade

DO NOT GET THE DE IN THE POOL ISLE!!! You need food grade DE

 

[henney penny]

I just found this thread and was wondering if theholistichorse.com was ever used?And if it worked?I seen the article in the backyard poultry but want to know it it really works.Don`t want to waste money.

 

[tinychickfarm]

Can I use D Earth in the hay and dusting area?(for the lice and mites) they say it's good for almost everything.

 

[ChickenLegs13]

The closeup pict of that chicken butt was disgusting! 1 of my hens always has a dirty butt, guess I need to check them for lice & mites.

 

[bdjh]

The closeup pict of that chicken butt was disgusting! 1 of my hens always has a dirty butt, guess I need to check them for lice & mites.

I doubt the dirty butt was the REASON for the lice......I suspect it's more that she couldn't clean herself very well, and so the lice eggs that were there all along wouldn't be cleaned away.

We had one new bird that had the same thing right under her throat, where she couldn't reach to get rid of them.

We also have one bird with a perpetual dirty butt. I see other birds grooming themselves around there, but she just doesn't seem to be able to reach.

I suspect there are always a few lice crawling around all of our birds, but by normal grooming, they get rid of 99% of them themselves..

 

[BlueEggsDaily]

@tinychickfarm- yes. I do all the time. Basically it helps keep the area "drier" which mites/lice can't survive in.. They need moisture.
It's safe with chickens.. I dust bathe them in the stuff at least once every month or so..

 

[Meadowchick]

If that poultry dust is DE (diatomaceous earth) you can get it cheaper...food grade even.

 

[Dutchgirl]

Don't wear contact lenses when using DE. -- Voice of experience.

 

[Jeffcohappyhens]

I use this and it works just fine. Got it from Murdocks 4 5 bucks. I put it in a plastic bag, add chicken close it up to their neck then shake the bag around them.