WARNING on DE!!!

[fishman65]

WHOA, WHOA, WHOA!! Wait just a minute, are you saying you "CAN'T snort DE??????? Bummer.

 

[chicachic]

O.K. Please remind me what are all the purposes DE has for chickens. Is it to keep the straw/bedding dry? Also chickchook - you use Stall dry...I can't find that product anywhere here( SouthJersey). Would it be sold in hardware stores? Feed stores? I only have Agway, Tractor Supply and private vendors that I have to search for. A lot of people around here have chickens that just roam the neighborhood and they don't do anything special. I can't let mine roam because I have neighbors that let their "killer" dogs roam. Any suggestions?

 

[chookchick]

DE is used to keep bedding dry (thus odor free) as it is very absorbent. It also has insecticidal properties, as it dessicates insects and their eggs. Many put it in dry areas where their chickens dust bathe for this reason. Contrary to what some might say, I don't believe it can eradicate an existing lice or mite infestation, but it might help prevent one. Others say it has de-worming properties when ingested, but I can't see how this would be as it is completely de-activated when wet (it does not work by "poking holes" in the worms/insects as is often said, it works by dessicating/sucking out the moisture). Check with your local feed store, see if they have any other product that works like Stall Dry and contains DE, or maybe they can order it.

If you have free-roaming dogs in your area, you are probably OOL when it comes to free-ranging (that is my situation)--unless you can talk to ALL to owners, and convince them to keep their dogs in ALL the time. I can't get them to even keep in the dogs that harass neighborhood kids. Dogs are the worst predator IMO. Keep your chickens in a strong, well fortified run.

 

[theFox]

" .... I can't let mine roam because I have neighbors that let their "killer" dogs roam. Any suggestions?"

Check the animal control regulations where you live, likely both roaming dogs and roaming chickens aren't allowed.

If the dogs are not supposed to be on their own off their owner's property, keep bugging your animal control folks.

Do it every time you see the dogs loose.

 

[chicachic]

Thanks,Chookchic for the info. I am in theprocess of calling around to find the stall dry or a similar product. I might have to try on line.
Thefox suggested I check township ordinances for roaming dogs. Yep! I already know that dogs have to be kept on leash and my dogs have never left my yard to roam but I consider that a responsible pet owner. My unfortunate problem is that I took in a cat that was a stray and therefore always darts out the door...Some of my neighbors are a "tit-for-tat" kind of folk so I need to be mindful of unneighborly retribution toward my cat(who by the way is a sweet heart). Therefore, until I fence in my yard my chickens have to be confined. I thank all for current and future help and conversations.

 

[speckledhen]

Kills lice, dries out bedding, kills any bugs that make their way into a feed bag, etc. The only adult bird I ever bought came with a serious lice infestation. I used only DE and it eradicated them. Never have had any lice or mites in my coops--I sprinkle it in all the nestboxes.

 

[snowflake]

I just purchased 3 bags of stall dry from TSC, how ever I think they maybe phasing it out and replacing it with sweet PDH? or what ever that is some of the horse people may know the proper name. it cost more but I think it is the same thing, used to keep stalls dry

 

[chicachic]

Speckledhen...Are you saying you mix the stall dry into the feed itself??? or do you just have the feed bag in an area covered with stall dry? You said it kills any bugs that make their way into the feed bag. I'm starting to feel terribly inept at this. I like all this new fangled stuff (lol) just am not familiar with how to use it...I'm getting there though, I just know it!

 

[ranchhand]

Speckled Hen is referring to food grade DE, not Stall-Dry.

 

[chicachic]

OOOOKAAAY,then. I'm obviously getting all the facts confused I'm at work anyway, I think I'll just call it a night and look in a book (lol)