What age should your chicks be before using DE????

[StephanieD]

I called DE directly and they said it was safe to use (as young as) while chicks are hatching. I was having a problem with red ants getting under momma and biting the chicks as they were hatching.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

Make sure the bag says "Food grade." It should be pure white. Sometimes it is called "Fossil flour."

 

[StephanieD]

Mine is food grade and it is brown. ?

 

[tendriana]

Quote:
Brown??? Hmmm, I've never heard of brown DE. Are you sure it is foodgrade DE??

 

[minihorse927]

My DE is brown also and is feed grade. I have been feeding it for years and it is always brown here. It depends on the region the stuff is manufactured in I believe. The source they get it from makes it anywhere from white to brown in color. I use it for deworming and also put it on ground, bedding, on chickens themselves. Do not use it in feeds with amprolium!

 

[Okie Amazon]

Wow, 've never seen brown DE. Mine is definitely food grade. I just went back to the ivomec for the dogs, gotta give it for heartworm preventative anyway.

 

[lfreem2]

Where do you buy it? My local TSC didn't have any!

 

[pixiedouglas]

You can get it online or almost anywhere you can buy 'soil additives' but as many other posters said make sure you're using FOOD grade! We got a 50 lb box online last year, ours is white. I've been dusting the bottom of the brooder before putting in the wood chips and then another sprinkle on top since day one. I also rub down the mini roosting bar with it after I scrape off the poo.

We originally bought it as a way to defend our blueberries from ground pests since we don't use any pesticides. Then used it to powder my parents cats/dogs and clear up a flea problem under their deck last summer.

 

[4nematode]

DE is used in pool filters. You can get it very cheaply at a pool supply. Just read the package carefully and make sure it is 100% DE. I have had NO Problems with this. I also use it in my gardening applications. It is the organic treatment to annihilate soft bodied pests. Use this and slugs and cut worms are history! I sprinkle in my coop every few weeks and on the backs of the girls.

 

[classicsredone]

Pool supply DE is not the same thing as food grade. Pool supply has been heat treated and will not be effective against pests. It is meant to be filter material.