What does diatomaceous earth kill?

[loveourbirds]

Quote:
just so its known DE is in toothpaste, its nonpoisonous unless you breathe it in. it would probably make an excellent mildly abrasive cleaner.

 

[chrissyr]

Thank you all. I'm curious though: If worm EGGS come out in the feces and hatch and continue their cycle, would DE kill the eggs? Or do the eggs have to hatch? I know what it can do to some pests (the ants I mentioned for instance) but I thought it would be great if it killed any parasite eggs that are in feces vs. having them hatch first( in the coop) and continue the cycle. Does anyone know about this?

 

[loveourbirds]

it may work by drying them out, but no promises here.

if a chicken has a few worms, it can be beneficial according to some research i was reading. most animals have a few worms in their systems, its only when they become overpopulated, or the animal becomes ill that it becomes a problem for them.

here is the site, ill let you make your own decisions:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/05/diatomaceous-earth-de-benefitrisk.html

 

[chrissyr]

it may work by drying them out, but no promises here.

if a chicken has a few worms, it can be beneficial according to some research i was reading. most animals have a few worms in their systems, its only when they become overpopulated, or the animal becomes ill that it becomes a problem for them.

here is the site, ill let you make your own decisions:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/05/diatomaceous-earth-de-benefitrisk.html

That was a very helpful link, made total sense! It kind of sums it all up. I do think it's best to put something in the coop (DE or poultry dust). So many times we don't see the pests but they're there. I just noticed a couple of hens lose weight and not look as bright as they did a few months back. I didn't expect to see the amount of roundworms come out after worming. I know I can't eliminate the process, but I don't want it to get bad again. I was just so amazed at how DE dealt with the red ants, and those things are ferocious! I am just hoping that the DE will dry out the eggs from parasites in the coop.

 

[loveourbirds]

i wish i had better advice, but i would probably clean the floor of the coop and put down a thick layer of fresh bedding. that's probably what is going to work best for you. keep in mind the worms and eggs that come out after treatment are at least weakened if not dead from whatever poison you use.

 

[chrissyr]

@ loveourbirds- really that was a big help. I guess I won't know for sure what DE does to parasite eggs in the coop, but I can hope for the best. I separated the one hen who as pooping worms for a while. Not sure if any other birds ate them, so gross! But I will reworm in 10 days and I read another post saying it should be fine. I don't think they liked them because I found one in the coop laying in the open dead, and no one touched it. I was just bummed because a couple of months ago they looked so great: chubby with vibrant feathers. Now they lost weight and look dull. I'll get them back to where they were. I really appreciate all of the input. I just wonder what Organic pastured farmers do. They have to have worm issues

 

[loveourbirds]

i think they use sage or oregano, but im far from organic. here is a link that may help you along:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/729605/the-natural-chicken-keeping-thread-ots-welcome

several of them seem to be excellent with organic remedies. just remember to research on your own..... sometimes a bad organic remedy will mess with a good medication later. But if the organics do really work, its probably alot safer than the medication.

 

[chrissyr]

Thank you