Please help with DE dose amounts

[kstaven]

No mites, no worms, no toxic chemicals! That pretty well sums it up.

 

[dlhunicorn]

Quote:
This thread delves extensively into that question:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=442&p=3

 

[keljonma]

Quote:
In re-reading your question, I notice I didn't answer this portion...

We provide feed to our flock free-choice 24/7. They also have access to their nest boxes and dust bath pool 24/7. The DE is in their feed, nest boxes and dust bath pool, so they have free-choice access to it. If they want it, it is there. We also provide their grit and oyster shell, in separate containers, free-choice 24/7. We only remove the containers long enough to clean them, and never remove all at once.

Just a note: We used the child's wading pool as the flock's brooder, and they always use it for dust baths. They never dig in the yard, but run back into the hen house to dust bathe.

Hope this helps.

regards,
keljonma

if edited, probably for typos....

 

[scubacoz]

The wading pool is a great idea. What all do you put in the pool? I am thinking sand and DE.

 

[keljonma]

Quote:
We use sand, Food Grade DE and wood chips in the pool. We put wood chips and straw down on the hen house floor in winter, so sometimes pieces of straw get kicked up into the pool.

Here is the pool as brooder. (click for larger image)


Here is our Silver Lakenvelder dust bathing in the pool in the hen house. They've kicked some straw from the hen house floor into the pool. (click for larger image)


Here is a part of our flock relaxing in and on the pool in the hen house last October. (fuzzy pic; click for larger image)



if edited, probably for typos...

 

[janramsey]

OK now see.....I have to ask.....What is DE???? What is it for??? Where do I find it at......LOL

 

[Barnyard Dawg]

We feed our chickens steamed rice with some feed added and DE mixed in. I never have worried that much about exact amount or percentages I just have a plastic measuring spoon and take a couple of scoops and mix in their feed. Same with the dogs I sprinkled on top of their food or mix it in. I also spread DE in the coop and pen along wit some Sweet PDZ from a fertilizer spreader. We don’t mix DE with plain drinking water but will add some raw apple cider vinegar.

 

[AccidentalFarm]

I mix sand, some garden soil and DE for dustbaths, except I use one of the deep rubbermaid tote lids instead of a wading pool in the coop. My girls always kick up the pine shaving bedding and mix it in with the sand, soil, and DE. They love it. It's rather comical to watch them fight over who's first when I add more sand to the pile. The sand and soil also serve as a source for grit.

For the feed, I don't really measure, I just add some DE in moderate amounts. I have not yet put it out free choice, because the yard area also has some DE 'holes', so I believe the girls get plenty of it.

For the water, I add non-pasteurized ACV and a minced clove of garlic.

Edited to add pic: As you can see, they've mixed (or fluffed out) most of the sand, and added shavings to their liking...

 

[countrygirl4513]

ok, I got this email about how to make a DE Slurry. Here's the recipe.

To make 1 gal. of sprayable DE slurry-mix 1/2 teaspoon of liquid soap or other surfactant into a quart of warm water.
Fill your sprayer with 3 quarts of water add 1 ounce of DE.
Shake it up add the soap mix and shake again. Keep your sprayer constantly agitated while spraying the slurry.
You can make the slurry thicker if you intend to spray on trees.

Now I was told you can use it on your garden, spray buildings to control pests... etc..

 

[scubacoz]

Wow alot of information, Thanks so very much. It has been so wet here the last couple of weeks I really need to clean out the henhouse it is starting to smell. But I do not want to do anything until it dries up some. I will get a little pool. Loved the pictures by the way. And such a good idea. Do you have it in your closed in coop or a screened in area? I have two areas for my chickens a closed in type storage shed with a screened in area that is critter safe. I do let them out during the day to forge for themselves. Seems I cant keep any flowers anymore either. lol OOH well we do live in the country ! We have bluebonnets and they will not eat those which I am happy to say. I have some food grade DE but was reluctant to put it in their food. I did put it in the nesting boxes and around the hen house to keep the ants out and it has worked very well. NO ANTS!! Thanks for all the info this is a good thread. Kathy in Texas