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

[Dannee]

What age do your chicks have to be to use DE? Do you use it once you introduce your chicks to the chicken coop or wait??????

 

[kneit099]

I'm a newbie and my hubby is more up on what we have to do but what is DE?

I'm still learning the lingo!

 

[alicefelldown]

There are no age limits for use in bedding, dust baths, or nesting areas.

I can't answer if you are using it as a wormer, as I do not use it for that. I don't know why your baby chicks would need to be wormed though...

DE = Diatomaceous Earth is naturally occurring, soft, siliceous sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. It consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. For poultry, it is mainly used as a mechanical insecticide or an absorbent for liquids. The fine powder absorbs lipids from the waxy outer layer of insects' exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate. Arthropods die as a result of the water pressure deficiency, based on Fick's law of diffusion. This also works against gastropods and is commonly employed in gardening to defeat slugs. However, since slugs inhabit humid environments, efficacy is very low.

 

[kneit099]

I know I sound completely dumb, but what is DE used for?
Like I said, I just agreed to let my take this journey of chick raising on and it's growing on me. So I am trying to learn as much as I can, which is why I am on this forum! LOL

We mainly got our chicks for ant control in summer, but of course the idea of eggs is fabulous as well along with the "raising" of the chicks.

 

[secuono]

DE is to help with bugs and worms in a much more natural way.
It's never too early to use it. My 5 day old Banties have it in their brooder.

 

[Okie Amazon]

Lots of dog people use it as a supplement in their dog food for on-going worming, but I have had very irritated bowels (bloody, mucusy diarrhea) in our dogs when we've tried it.

 

[Schwartzfarmnc]

Quote:
Been using it mixed with the bedding since day 1, and also in their "dust bath" area of sand and DE and they roll and throw it everywhere, doesn't seem to bother them at all.

 

[schellie69]

I use it in the coop and dust bath area, it helps with mite/lice and other bugs. I don't use if for a wormer

 

[tendriana]

I've been using it since they were a week old. I take a pinch of it and rub it into their feathers once in a while, to protect against mites (the chicks squawk loudly in irritation as I do this... they are not yet used to being manhandled by momma!) I sprinkle a wee bit into their food dish, and sprinkle a bit throughout the bedding. In the Big Girls (adults) coop, I put plenty into the bedding, to keep the smell down and to break down the chicken poop. Once in a while I also "pet" the big girls with a bit of DE too, working it down deep into their feathers, next to their skin. I don't bother putting it in their food, as they seem to ingest plenty while preening.

Okie Amazon - were you using food-grade DE or the regular stuff? Because non food-grade DE can be toxic, so maybe that was causing the irritated bowels?

 

[Dannee]

Thanks soooo much for all the input I knew it would protect them from mites etc. just somehow had it in my head with everything else there was a certain age. Going to the feed store tomorrow so I will pick some up As always you are all great with your responses so very helpful!!!!