Sweet PDZ vs DE

[AmyJane725]

Red Roost mites do not live on the birds, only feed on them.
Northern Fowl mites live on the birds, as do lice.
Here's a nice post about the different kinds:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

Mites and lice can be carried in by wild birds...and rodents...so best to keep those out of your coop and run.

They will definitely be kept out, unless they can squeeze through a half inch square. Mice are pretty small, but I don't think even they can do that.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Small mice can fit through a half-inch square, yes. That does keep rats and just about everything else out, though, aside from the occasional tiny snake or lizard that's just going to be eaten immediately.

 

[AmyJane725]

Well, hopefully if the mice are that small the chickens will eat them without getting infested Ugh. I hate parasites.

 

[bbcheermom]

Wow I'm more confused about making a dust bath than when I got on here. I was told at the feed and seed store to get DE but be careful about inhaling to help get rid of my "possible mites" in my coop. So I was going to build them a dust bathing area and put wood ash, sand and DE in it. What are your thoughts on that?

 

[DobieLover]

Wow I'm more confused about making a dust bath than when I got on here. I was told at the feed and seed store to get DE but be careful about inhaling to help get rid of my "possible mites" in my coop. So I was going to build them a dust bathing area and put wood ash, sand and DE in it. What are your thoughts on that?

Nix the DE.
Use concrete sand for the type of sand. You can also use some peat moss to make it fluffy. Mine like that.

 

[bbcheermom]

Nix the DE.
Use concrete sand for the type of sand. You can also use some peat moss to make it fluffy. Mine like that.

Dang so what can I use this big ole bag of DE for that I bought

 

[aart]

Dang so what can I use this big ole bag of DE for that I bought

What kind it is.....brand name?