What is DE?

[BantamLover21]

Diatamaceous Earth will not work very well, if at all, as a dewormer. Diatamaceous Earth is useless when wet, as it would be when a chicken ingests it (the sharp pieces would be come damp and soft). It may work for external parasites, but not with internal ones. Giving the DE to your chickens won't harm them, but keep in mind that it probably won't prevent worms. You'd be better off getting some Valbazen or Safeguard dewormers. Both of these dewormers will kill most worms that a chicken has, and shouldn't be too difficult to find.

Agreed. It will not work as a wormer, and isn't very good at killing external parasites, either.

 

[Shalom Farm]

Diatamaceous Earth will not work very well, if at all, as a dewormer. Diatamaceous Earth is useless when wet, as it would be when a chicken ingests it (the sharp pieces would be come damp and soft). It may work for external parasites, but not with internal ones. Giving the DE to your chickens won't harm them, but keep in mind that it probably won't prevent worms. You'd be better off getting some Valbazen or Safeguard dewormers. Both of these dewormers will kill most worms that a chicken has, and shouldn't be too difficult to find.

I agree as well.

I use DE as a preventitive measure externally within the run and coop. I mix a little bit with the shavings and then layer the wooden floor with it, then pile clean shavings on top of that. Stuff it in cracks and places where some nasty things might hide. DE, in my opinion, is a bit over inflated in its reputation. Since, like Wyandottes7 said, the shells soften upon wetting or within a bird's digestion. If the shells did not...We might have some very sick birds. The shells have no chemical properties that harm parasites, it is their shape. So when their shape is blunted, their effectiveness lessens.

Use fecal samples to see if you have a problem. If you are suspicious of parasites, collect a few samples and bring them to any vet. For a few bucks, you can see if your birds have any parasites at all. If not, don't worm. If so, worm only for the present parasites.

DE should only be Food Grade. At TSC it is about $12 for a 20lbs sack where I am. As for putting it in dust baths, I don't because of the air sacs. Some bags come with warning labels about inhaling it. I am not sure if this is across the board for each grade, but go with caution. I do put it on the dirt floor of the run, but very sparingly and mostly where parasites might thrive. This, of course, is only good as the next rain. So pick and choose when you put it down.

DE is a wonderful product and I am parasite free! But it is only a preventive measure, not a cure-all. Cleanliness and preventatives will often cut out most parasite problems