Property came with old coop. Help!

[floppysquirrel04]

Why isn’t DE recommended? It gets rid of mites, and if they eat it it rids them of internal parasites. I mean, all good things in moderation, I wouldn’t dump a bag of it in there so they breathe it in, but lightly sprinkled in is good for them.

 

[ValerieJ]

Why isn’t DE recommended? It gets rid of mites, and if they eat it it rids them of internal parasites. I mean, all good things in moderation, I wouldn’t dump a bag of it in there so they breathe it in, but lightly sprinkled in is good for them.

I agree and put it down before I put the straw in my coops every time. I have never had mites. But, I can assure you I've been told more than once by BYC folks who know chickens better than I do, that I'm risking the lives of my chickens and myself, and I'm not having any effect on mites. I wear a mask and don't clean coops when chickens are in them. We're all good and still never any mites or lice. But, it has only been about 4 years, so may not add up to empirical evidence yet.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Respiratory issues caused by DE

 

[ValerieJ]

Respiratory issues caused by DE

That's what they say...

 

[floppysquirrel04]

Ya, I’ve heard that. I think that sprinkled lightly is ok. Or just in their dust bath. I even know plenty of wildlife rehabber that put it in their squirrel and bird nestboxes every year.

 

[aart]

Why isn’t DE recommended?

It's frequently recommended.

But...

Why isn’t DE recommended?It gets rid of mites, and if they eat it it rids them of internal parasites.

This is not true.

But, it has only been about 4 years, so may not add up to empirical evidence yet.

'Evidence' would be "I had a horrible mite infestation and DE alone killed them all."


But I have read numerous posts from folks wondering why they still had mites/lice,
when they had used DE.

 

[floppysquirrel04]

It's frequently recommended.

But...

This is not true.


'Evidence' would be "I had a horrible mite infestation and DE alone killed them all."


But I have read numerous posts from folks wondering why they still had mites/lice,
when they had used DE.

I have no experience with chickens, but I know for a true fact it works with other animals. Although, like I said, don’t dump a bunch in for them or they will get respiratory infections. You have to administer it properly.

 

[ValerieJ]

Ya, I’ve heard that. I think that sprinkled lightly is ok. Or just in their dust bath. I even know plenty of wildlife rehabber that put it in their squirrel and bird nestboxes every year.

I wouldn't put it in their nest boxes. All that flying around while they are kicking it up actually could be bad for their respiratory system.

 

[floppysquirrel04]

I wouldn't put it in their nest boxes. All that flying around while they are kicking it up actually could be bad for their respiratory system.

that’s just for squirrels and wild birds, sorry if I wasn’t specific. This is taught to people rehabbing wild animals, and I know a ton of people who do this. They have never had a problem.

 

[floppysquirrel04]

I guess maybe if the chickens didn’t have great ventilation it could cause a RI. You’d have to put it in the run only or maybe in a free range dust bath, where they’re not closed in. That’s probably why it works for wild animals. They can just get into the clear air if they need it, whereas chickens are stuck in their coop with it. Good discussion tho.