Ribh's D'Coopage

[rjohns39]

Good evening folks

I've heard differing reports about diatomaceous earth. Some people swear by it, others swear it's a waste of money. In winter all our fire ash goes in the runs & coop. The girls love it & I find it helps with odours too.

DE is a hotly debated topic. There seems to be two camps: 1) It's wonderful for pest control; 2) It doesn't do anything for pest control and bad for the chickens lungs.

I'm not in either camp. I don't use it, but that's just me. A LOT of feed companies add it to their feed. Not for parasite control within the chicken but to deal with weevils in the feed itself. Once DE get's wet (i.e., inside a chicken) it loses its ability to kill parasites. I'm also not convinced (haven't found any evidence) that it's harmful to their lungs.

None the less, if you discuss it out in the open world. It's kind of like discussing politics or religion. I would not be surprised if someone who doesn't hang out here, finds their way here to beat me about the head and shoulders for what I've presented.

 

[BY Bob]

Good evening folks


DE is a hotly debated topic. There seems to be two camps: 1) It's wonderful for pest control; 2) It doesn't do anything for pest control and bad for the chickens lungs.

I'm not in either camp. I don't use it, but that's just me. A LOT of feed companies add it to their feed. Not for parasite control within the chicken but to deal with weevils in the feed itself. Once DE get's wet (i.e., inside a chicken) it loses its ability to kill parasites. I'm also not convinced (haven't found any evidence) that it's harmful to their lungs.

None the less, if you discuss it out in the open world. It's kind of like discussing politics or religion. I would not be surprised if someone who doesn't hang out here, finds their way here to beat me about the head and shoulders for what I've presented.

You are correct of course. I have seen this DE debate play out. If you can imagine it, Shadrach has definitive opinions on the subject. Shocking, I know.

I also don't use it. Mostly because I have never seen the need to even go down this road not because I have an opinion on the topic.

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

Good evening folks


DE is a hotly debated topic. There seems to be two camps: 1) It's wonderful for pest control; 2) It doesn't do anything for pest control and bad for the chickens lungs.

I'm not in either camp. I don't use it, but that's just me. A LOT of feed companies add it to their feed. Not for parasite control within the chicken but to deal with weevils in the feed itself. Once DE get's wet (i.e., inside a chicken) it loses its ability to kill parasites. I'm also not convinced (haven't found any evidence) that it's harmful to their lungs.

None the less, if you discuss it out in the open world. It's kind of like discussing politics or religion. I would not be surprised if someone who doesn't hang out here, finds their way here to beat me about the head and shoulders for what I've presented.

I agree 100%!!

 

[RoyalChick]

Good evening folks


DE is a hotly debated topic. There seems to be two camps: 1) It's wonderful for pest control; 2) It doesn't do anything for pest control and bad for the chickens lungs.

I'm not in either camp. I don't use it, but that's just me. A LOT of feed companies add it to their feed. Not for parasite control within the chicken but to deal with weevils in the feed itself. Once DE get's wet (i.e., inside a chicken) it loses its ability to kill parasites. I'm also not convinced (haven't found any evidence) that it's harmful to their lungs.

None the less, if you discuss it out in the open world. It's kind of like discussing politics or religion. I would not be surprised if someone who doesn't hang out here, finds their way here to beat me about the head and shoulders for what I've presented.

I think the politics of DE are made even worse by there being two forms - crystalline (which is toxic for chickens and people's lungs) and another type whose name I can't remember which is either safe or at least much safer.
The kind used in pool filters is the dangerous kind.
The other kind is what people use in coops.

 

[rjohns39]

I think the politics of DE are made even worse by there being two forms - crystalline (which is toxic for chickens and people's lungs) and another type whose name I can't remember which is either safe or at least much safer.
The kind used in pool filters is the dangerous kind.
The other kind is what people use in coops.

Ironically, we all consume the food grade DE. Unless you grind your own flour and cornmeal you're getting trace amount. Same with store bought bread products.

 

[RoyalChick]

Ironically, we all consume the food grade DE. Unless you grind your own flour and cornmeal you're getting trace amount. Same with store bought bread products.

Yes exactly. It is everywhere!

 

[drstratton]

It's coming. Spring is coming. I can feel it.

I believe it is...there is no snow in our forecast for the next 15 days...I think Pennsylvania Phyllis's prediction is coming true...

 

[drstratton]

She was so gentle with the animals. I can't wait for her to see them outside in the grass.

That's going to be so fun!

 

[drstratton]

Titania leading the way.
Ive got it right, havent I, mum?
Everyone was reallylate roosting tonivht. After a scorcher of a day the cool sea breeze was too nice to resist.
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Looks like she has it figured out!
I'm glad you're getting some summer weather!

 

[BY Bob]

I believe it is...there is no snow in our forecast for the next 15 days...I think Pennsylvania Phyllis's prediction is coming true...