Using Diatomaceous Earth As Preventative?

[WIchickMama]

so is there a preventative product to use? or just let nature take it's course

 

[MysteryChicken]

I am sorry. Force of habit. I will make sure I watch my language in the future.

It's okay. I'm just enforcing a BYC rule.

 

[MysteryChicken]

so is there a preventative product to use? or just let nature take it's course

There's not really a preventative, just a product to kill the mites/lice.

 

[DClopein]

It's okay. I'm just enforcing a BYC rule.

Well, it's good to know. I have enjoyed BYC since joining. I would hate to be reprimanded for my language & not be able to use the site. Again, thanks for the heads up.

 

[MysteryChicken]

Well, it's good to know. I have enjoyed BYC since joining. I would hate to be reprimanded for my language & not be able to use the site. Again, thanks for the heads up.

You're welcome.

 

[cmom]

But do you use this as a preventative or only if/when you see lice or mites? I heard that over exposure COULD result in resilience built up.

Right. My question as well. Thank you

I would not try to use anything as a preventative as the pests (lice/mites) can develop a resistance to it and then when you do have any pests they won't be affected. Only treat if there is something to treat for. In my opinion DE is worthless. Some people swear by it and if it works for them that's good but I never had any luck with it. I still have a half of a 50# bag laying around. I do use poultry dust in my nest boxes. Good luck and have fun...

 

[lisa158]

Diatomaceous Earth has a long history of be a good preventative for many insects. It must stay dry to be effective. Do some research and make your own decision on how to use it. Remember what works for some may not work for others. Make your own decisions base on your experience.​

This study, published in the National Library of Medicine, may prove helpful. (click on DOI for full report) It may also explain why it works so well for some, and not others.​

The last few lines of this abstract might be of particular interest to you.

Effect of diatomaceous earth on parasite load, egg production, and egg quality of free-range organic laying hens​

D C Bennett 1, A Yee, Y-J Rhee, K M Cheng
Affiliations expand

• PMID: 21673156
• DOI: 10.3382/ps.2010-01256

Free article

Abstract​

The effectiveness of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a treatment against parasites and to increase feed efficiency and egg production of organically raised free-range layer hens was evaluated in 2 breeds of commercial egg layers [Bovan Brown (BB) and Lowmann Brown (LB)] that differ in their resistance to internal parasitic infections. Half the hens of each breed were fed diets supplemented with DE (2%). Their internal parasite loads were assessed by biweekly fecal egg counts (FEC) and by postmortem examination of the gastrointestinal tract. Supplementing DE in diets of LB hens, the more parasite-resistant breed, did not significantly affect their FEC and adult parasite load. However, BB hens treated with dietary DE had significantly lower Capillaria FEC, slightly lower Eimeria FEC, fewer birds infected with Heterakis, and significantly lower Heterakis worm burden than control BB hens. Both BB and LB hens fed the diet containing DE were significantly heavier, laid more eggs, and consumed more feed than hens fed the control diet, but feed efficiency did not differ between the 2 dietary treatments. Additionally, BB hens consuming the DE diet laid larger eggs containing more albumen and yolk than hens consuming the control diet. In a subsequent experiment, the effectiveness of DE to treat a Northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) infestation was tested. Relative to controls, both breeds of hens that were dusted with DE had reduced number of mites. The results of this study indicate the DE has the potential to be an effective treatment to help control parasites and improve production of organically raised, free-range layer hens.

 

[dawg53]

Diatomaceous Earth has a long history of be a good preventative for many insects. It must stay dry to be effective. Do some research and make your own decision on how to use it. Remember what works for some may not work for others. Make your own decisions base on your experience.​

This study, published in the National Library of Medicine, may prove helpful. (click on DOI for full report) It may also explain why it works so well for some, and not others.​

The last few lines of this abstract might be of particular interest to you.

Effect of diatomaceous earth on parasite load, egg production, and egg quality of free-range organic laying hens​

D C Bennett 1, A Yee, Y-J Rhee, K M Cheng
Affiliations expand

• PMID: 21673156
• DOI: 10.3382/ps.2010-01256

Free article

Abstract​

The effectiveness of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a treatment against parasites and to increase feed efficiency and egg production of organically raised free-range layer hens was evaluated in 2 breeds of commercial egg layers [Bovan Brown (BB) and Lowmann Brown (LB)] that differ in their resistance to internal parasitic infections. Half the hens of each breed were fed diets supplemented with DE (2%). Their internal parasite loads were assessed by biweekly fecal egg counts (FEC) and by postmortem examination of the gastrointestinal tract. Supplementing DE in diets of LB hens, the more parasite-resistant breed, did not significantly affect their FEC and adult parasite load. However, BB hens treated with dietary DE had significantly lower Capillaria FEC, slightly lower Eimeria FEC, fewer birds infected with Heterakis, and significantly lower Heterakis worm burden than control BB hens. Both BB and LB hens fed the diet containing DE were significantly heavier, laid more eggs, and consumed more feed than hens fed the control diet, but feed efficiency did not differ between the 2 dietary treatments. Additionally, BB hens consuming the DE diet laid larger eggs containing more albumen and yolk than hens consuming the control diet. In a subsequent experiment, the effectiveness of DE to treat a Northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) infestation was tested. Relative to controls, both breeds of hens that were dusted with DE had reduced number of mites. The results of this study indicate the DE has the potential to be an effective treatment to help control parasites and improve production of organically raised, free-range layer hens.

I thought this looked familiar. This Abstract regarding DE testing has been posted in this forum quite a bit for the past 10 or 11 years.
It has been posted mostly by new BYC members that have no experience in dealing with worms in poultry.
DE does not prevent nor treat worms. Those members that use DE will eventually learn that it doesnt work. However, most will never admit it.