Question about using Diatomaceous Earth for chickens to dust bathe in.

[rustic roost]

The thing about DE is it works Great as a preventative and you don't have to worry about pesticides. I use DE in my nest boxes and gust the entire chicken coop from time to time. I sprinkle some out in the pen too. The creepy crawlies disappear wonderfully. However if you have a bad mite or lice problem dust those ladies with seven garden dust.

 

[ozark hen]

Just everyone, please to remember to use FOOD GRADE D.E. I was reading in Mother Earth News that it can be used in your gardens too!

 

[Pele]

heehee I never knew that I was a voudan priestess or something for using DE! *waggles fingers* Beware my wrath.....

But in all seriousness, yes you should use DE on chickens. The reason it didn't work on the flies is because flies incubate their young in OTHER places, and then come to your horse from miles around. They are WHOLE different case than mites, who live and breed all in one place (on your animal and in the bedding).

You probably killed 50 to 100 flies that day, then the next day 300 showed up from the neighbor's barn. Flies are obnoxious like that.

 

[cmom]

I have been using a DE for years and so far I have never had a mite or any other pest on my birds.

 

[confusedturtle]

Thank you to everyone for all of the great info about the DE. I was amazed to see all of the many uses for it and I am going out today (after I drop the kiddos off at school) and buying a big bag of it. Last year we had a terrible problem (in my opinion any is alot) with fleas so I am going to buy a couple bags and put it in the garden, in the pets food and everywhere I might see it as beneficial. Ofcourse I will make sure it is food grade only. Thank you so much for this thread, I really appreciate it

 

[ChamorroChicken]

I was wondering were do you find the food grade DE ?

 

[ozark hen]

I get mine at the local feed store

 

[scbatz33]

Quote:
Thanks for saying that. I was just gonna write something to that effect since is not holistic or voodoo but science.

And I thank you as I was left speechless that someone would refer to it as holistic or voodoo.

It maybe natural and proven in some areas, but I have seen people attribute things to the healing or curative "powers" of DE. There are some things it just can't do. It's efficacy in many scenarios is dubious at the least.

DE is composed of silica. DE in the "pool grade" form has had a change in it's chemical composition so that the silica are crystallized. Thus the very very sharp little edges can cause damage to sinuses and lungs when inhaled. It's not more "powdery", it's crystallized.

DE in either form is very drying and can be irritating when inhaled. It is however, a good internal parasite as well as external parasite, non-chemical route to go. However, unlike sprays or powders or pastes, it has to be applied regularly. For example, if I wormed my horses with traditional paste wormer, It would be a monthly or bi-monthly process. If I use DE, it's a daily feed supplement. Because, there is no residual effect to DE.

ETA: Diatomaceous earth (pronounced /ˌdaɪ.ətəˌmeɪʃəs ˈɜrθ/) also known as diatomite or kieselgur, is a naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It has a particle size ranging from less than 1 micrometre to more than 1 millimeter, but typically 10 to 200 micrometres.[1] This powder has an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder, and is very light, due to its high porosity. The typical chemical composition of oven dried diatomaceous earth is 80 to 90% silica, with 2 to 4% alumina (attributed mostly to clay minerals) and 0.5 to 2% iron oxide.[1]

Diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It is used as a filtration aid, mild abrasive, mechanical insecticide[2], absorbent for liquids, cat litter, activator in blood clotting studies, and a stabilizing component of dynamite. As it is also heat-resistant, it can be used as a thermal insulator.

 

[cmom]

My DH brought home a 50# bag. Think he bought it at one of the local feed stores. It lasts a long time.

 

[ChooksinChoppers]

After just aquiring a bag of food grade DE I have dusted my entire house with it

ok....so not the entire house...but 1. no more fleas on dog after doing the carpets and her and the couch .... 2. no more roaches in pantry (and in Florida thats saying something

) Just getting started here and just so you know my house is kept clean........will let you know about the rest of the creepy crawlies as we go on.

for DE!