What is DE and where should I buy it?

[Maryallison77]

So as everyone can see I am new to all this. I love my girls and do want them to be healthy. How do u know if your chickens have mites? And if they do am I suppose to treat with DE? I saw that meantioned several times. What does DE stand for? My oldest chicks are 3 1/2 months old and the younger ones are 7 weeks. All were purchased from a hatchery if that makes any difference.

Thanks for all the help in advance!

 

[spatcher]

Hi Maryallison! I sell PermaGuard DE in smaller amounts if thats what you are looking for. Check out www.freshwaterorganics.com/what_is_de.htm for the answers to any questions you may have.

 

[my first peepers]

I am new at this too but from what I have read here on BYC you can use DE, diatomaceous earth for mites and other bug problems. The important thing is to get FOODGRADE DE. I think in any case you need to be careful when applying it because of the dust being dangerous to inhale. I have also read that you can feed it to help with internal parasites. I have not been able to find Foodgrade DE anywhere but online.
I am repeating what I've read and would also be interested to learn more from any of the experts here on BYC! SO please add or correct me!

 

[McGoo]

You can get Food grade DE at your feed store and if they don't have it... ask them to order it. If you are in SW VT, I know that Whitman's in North Bennington carries it in a number of sizes.

I use it around the coop every couple of weeks. I sprinkle some in the nesting boxes too... and in and around the dusting beds. It seems to have kept away mites and bugs and I kinda think that it's better to use as a deterent, than wait for bugs to show up. I have also sprinkled the gals on occasion... just in case.

 

[my first peepers]

Thanks McGoo! Where are you located? I have tried almost every feed store around here except Whitman's! Most of them look at me like I'm crazy when I ask for foodgrade DE! I have seen many kinds of DE that don't say "Foodgrade" but are for insect control. Are these safe to dust in the coop/on chickens? What about in the house for fleas?

 

[clarktx]

How much DE does one need? I mean, how much would I use in 6 months, for example, on a coop that has a 3x8 footprint, 3 birds, and in warm damp houston? I'd like to buy the 1 lb bag but I have no idea how long it would last.

If the HOA kicks my chicks, then I obviously won't need it anymore, so there is no point in buying a years supply immediately ... just enough to last 3 months or so, until I can see if I'm going to be able to keep up this charade...

thanks...

 

[luckychic]

A little DE goes a long way. I put it in a flower sifter, but you could probably put it into a mesh strainer and shake it as you walk. Since I've been using it I've also noticed a cut back on the Flies!!!!!!!!!!!!

When I say a Little goes a long way, I'm not kidding, I bought a 50# bag and I'm going to split it with someone on my local chicken website. And it hangs out for days. It may take you a time or two before you really get how it works, and summer is the best since the ground is good and dry. You can see what you are doing with it.

If anyone from around here is reading this a great place for all of your chicken yard needs is Concentrates. They are near the Ross Island Bridge, so you don't have to go out of town to get what you need.

Cynthia