WHEN DO YOU NEED TO START USING DE?

[Fawn and Fam]

I have 3 week old chicks in the house, and will be for quite some time (still in the 30's here). Do I wait till they go outside to start using DE?

 

[Michael Apple]

DE is good for nothing unless you want to give your birds respiratory problems. It doesn't prevent worms or mites and lice. There's no reason to use it unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket.

 

[janen_33]

Michael, really? I totally love DE. I don't dust the pen unless the girls are out free ranging. It has worked wonders for us..no flies or undesirable coop/pen insects and keeps poop smell way down. Maybe because our pen is sand could be why it works for us? Our chickens are healthy, no respiratory issues as of yet....

Fawn and fan, I would wait to use it until your chickens go outside. Will you be mixing it in their bedding?