diatomaceous earth - yes or no

[Toffael]

As a new owner, i’ve read lots about the scourge of mites, and then read positive reports and reviews about the use of diatomaceous earth as a preventative tool, and also a way to eradicate an invasion.

But then i also read some people passionately stating that it’s harmful to chickens and should never be used.

So im very confused!

why do both views exist and what is the truthful answer

 

[Cheekychook11]

I used it for my chickens a few years ago when we had a mite infestation, it worked really well and I don’t think it caused any issues, but if you’re worried maybe don’t put it somewhere they can breathe it in

 

[nuthatched]

Doesn't work and is a Osha classified harmful substance.
Chickens get issues from breathing their own dander in poorly ventilated coop, adding a known irritant is not going to help.
In 20 years we'll be seeing commercials like the mesothelioma ones regarding d.e, just watch.
"Where you or a loved one told that this product was safe?.....you may be entitled to compensation".
It's also a product of "strip" open pit mining, which throws the claims of "earth friendly " right into the garbage.

 

[Squawkers]

I can’t answer with any scientific evidence, just opinion. My opinion is that it probably wouldn’t be the most effective at treating but I think it is a good preventative.

 

[coach723]

I have never found DE effective. If you have mites/lice you are far better off using permethrin or Elector PSP to get rid of them. For prevention I have found that just adequate dust bathing areas are as good a preventative as adding in DE. Due to it's irritation risk to their respiratory health (and mine), I don't use it any more at all. If I have a bon-fire (wood only), I will sometimes use the completely cooled wood ash to mix into their dust bathing area's, the acidity is helpful for helping with prevention. I don't overload the area with ash so that dust is flying, I just mix a little into the soil in the area. The ash is free, less irritating, and I've never had any issues with that. If they have access to a burn area while ranging, they will find it themselves. There are many "myths" about chicken keeping that continue to be prevalent, and that are regularly recommended, people often mean well. If 'corporate' recommends it, they are probably making a profit. Others may be misled but truly believe it. If it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is. If a human has lice/mites, they are not directed to bathe in DE. If many of the deworming myths that show up regularly were actually effective, then the medications would not exist. If a human contracts an internal parasite they are not advised to drink vinegar water, nor is it advised for other animals. Common sense should be present. I don't like to use things that increase risk of illness of any kind, unless absolutely necessary. Always a risk/benefit balance. I see zero benefit to DE.

 

[Squawkers]

I have never found DE effective. If you have mites/lice you are far better off using permethrin or Elector PSP to get rid of them. For prevention I have found that just adequate dust bathing areas are as good a preventative as adding in DE. Due to its irritation risk to their respiratory health (and mine), I don't use it any more at all. If I have a bon-fire (wood only), I will sometimes use the completely cooled wood ash to mix into their dust bathing area's, the acidity is helpful for helping with prevention. I don't overload the area with ash so that dust is flying, I just mix a little into the soil in the area. The ash is free, less irritating, and I've never had any issues with that. If they have access to a burn area while ranging, they will find it themselves. There are many "myths" about chicken keeping that continue to be prevalent, and that are regularly recommended, people often mean well. If 'corporate' recommends it, they are probably making a profit. Others may be misled but truly believe it. If it seems to be too good to be true, it probably is. If a human has lice/mites, they are not directed to bathe in DE. If many of the deworming myths that show up regularly were actually effective, then the medications would not exist. If a human contracts an internal parasite they are not advised to drink vinegar water, nor is it advised for other animals. Common sense should be present. I don't like to use things that increase risk of illness of any kind, unless absolutely necessary. Always a risk/benefit balance. I see zero benefit to DE.

What about for helping to prevent worms? That is the thing I use it for.

 

[coach723]

Wet DE does nothing. If they eat it, it's wet in the gut. Not effective at all. I tried all the 'recommended' non chemical things when I started out, and lost birds. Some environments may be much lower in worm loads than others. Some environments have a high parasite load. I no longer mess around. If I have birds carrying parasites, they get treated with wormers that work, and that is fairly often for me. My birds pick up round worm pretty regularly. Depending on the parasite, the irritation/damage to the gut can cause secondary infections as well sometimes. DE never did a darned thing for me. I prefer not to bury birds from fixable things. If you have never had a problem, then maybe your environment has a very low parasite load. I wouldn't credit the DE for having any impact.

 

[Squawkers]

What about these two?
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119420300

https://ejfood.org/index.php/ejfood/article/view/207

 

[coach723]

I've read the literature ad nauseum. Both you linked to say it "reduces numbers" or "reduced the burden" or "helped them cope" with the parasites. It does not say that it rid them of the parasites. Since the parasites reproduce in massive amounts, thousands if not millions of eggs excreted in droppings from infected birds, which further increases the load in the environment, and the circle goes round forever, I prefer to use something that actually kills the parasites and prevents them from multiplying further inside my birds. Every birds immune system is a little different, just like ours. What one bird may tolerate, may make another very ill, or even kill it. Some breeds may be more tolerant of carrying parasites than others, some individual birds might be. There are so many variables in every chicken, I choose not to deal with repercussions of one issue that is controllable with treatments that are effective. In what other animal is it considered acceptable that they carry around a load of parasites?
We worm dogs, cats, horses, cows, goats, etc. And humans when necessary. Because they are healthier if we don't let them carry parasites.
Lastly, one of the problems with studies is lack of information on who did, and who funded the study. I'm not saying anything about the two you posted, I don't have time to research the researchers. But you often find these studies are funded by sources with agenda's and without the actual data to dig into yourself, they are not always truly the conclusions you think they are.
We are all free to do, and use, as we please. I don't use, or recommend DE based on what I believe and what I have personally experienced. Everyone can make their own decisions, I only give my opinion.

 

[Squawkers]

I've read the literature ad nauseum. Both you linked to say it "reduces numbers" or "reduced the burden" or "helped them cope" with the parasites. It does not say that it rid them of the parasites. Since the parasites reproduce in massive amounts, thousands if not millions of eggs excreted in droppings from infected birds, which further increases the load in the environment, and the circle goes round forever, I prefer to use something that actually kills the parasites and prevents them from multiplying further inside my birds. Every birds immune system is a little different, just like ours. What one bird may tolerate, may make another very ill, or even kill it. Some breeds may be more tolerant of carrying parasites than others, some individual birds might be. There are so many variables in every chicken, I choose not to deal with repercussions of one issue that is controllable with treatments that are effective. In what other animal is it considered acceptable that they carry around a load of parasites?
We worm dogs, cats, horses, cows, goats, etc. And humans when necessary. Because they are healthier if we don't let them carry parasites.
Lastly, one of the problems with studies is lack of information on who did, and who funded the study. I'm not saying anything about the two you posted, I don't have time to research the researchers. But you often find these studies are funded by sources with agenda's and without the actual data to dig into yourself, they are not always truly the conclusions you think they are.
We are all free to do, and use, as we please. I don't use, or recommend DE based on what I believe and what I have personally experienced. Everyone can make their own decisions, I only give my opinion.

I wasn't asking about treating them. If my chickens have internal or external parasites I will get proper treatment. All I'm asking is if you think DE is a good preventative. I am not at trying to argue, I genuinely want your opinion and I just want what is best for my birds. I appreciate the time you put into your response!! I completely agree about it not being a good treatment, but what is your opinion on using it as a preventative?