Diatomaceous earth

[faintingrobin]

Does anyone know if it is okay to give week old chicks straight diatomaceous earth for dust baths?

 

[chickengeorgeto]

AND Back Yard Chickens dot com
Turkeys, Quail, Pheasants, Ducks, and other assorted birds.

Diatomaceous Earth or DE for short is at best useless for the control of pest and parasites that pester chickens. At it's worst DE is a dangerous material that can lead to lung diseases similar to Black Lung disease in both chickens and humans.

DE has also been linked to Rheumatoid Arthritis.

 

[chickens really]

Hello, DE is terrible stuff...Don't use it at all..Sand and potting soil mixed works great as Dust bath material...

 

[Lordofchickens 86]

some people have success with it I did but not for dust baths. just as a feed Additive. and for dusting the coop.

 

[Birdsong 82]

I put DE under the bedding in their nesting boxes when the humidity outside is nuts But I’m so paranoid about the dust issue and the respiratory the amount I put down probably isn’t even effective. I know in Moderate large amounts it is very very bad for the respiratory. The label on mine says to wear a mask when applying it to a garden or lawn so in a chicken dust bath probably not good

 

[MarieJune]

Does anyone know if it is okay to give week old chicks straight diatomaceous earth for dust baths?

I would never use diatomaceous earth as it is easily inhaled and can cause many respiratory issues.

 

[junkman56]

I use DE in their feed at a 2% rate, along with kelp, probios, and garlic/yeast powder

 

[lazy gardener]

Agreed with above posters. DE is not safe b/c of it's ability to cause serious lung damage. I would not use potting soil either, as many prepared soils have pearlite or vermiculite and fertilizer in them. Your best and healthiest bet for them would be a plug of sod from an untreated lawn. Simply set it in the brooder upside down. they will initially recoil in fright, then they will inspect, then they will ENJOY! Digging for their grub: first insects, worms maybe, seeds, and greens. They will also get: minerals, first grit, valuable beneficial bacteria and fungi to kick start their gut flora and immune system. They will also get a dose of cocci and other pathogens from that soil. NO! DON'T FREAK OUT! YOUR CHICKS NEED THIS EXPOSURE TO DEVELOP THEIR IMMUNITY. THE BEST TIME TO DO THIS IS WITHIN THE FIRST 2 WEEKS OF HATCH, WHILE THEY STILL HAVE ANTIBODIES RECEIVED FROM THEIR MOTHERS. When they wear out that first sod, give them a new one.

 

[lazy gardener]

I put DE under the bedding in their nesting boxes when the humidity outside is nuts But I’m so paranoid about the dust issue and the respiratory the amount I put down probably isn’t even effective. I know in Moderate large amounts it is very very bad for the respiratory. The label on mine says to wear a mask when applying it to a garden or lawn so in a chicken dust bath probably not good

Rachel, you might try switching to sweet PDZ for your needs.

 

[junkman56]

Rachel, you might try switching to sweet PDZ for your needs.

is (sweet PDZ) the same as tractor supplies (Stall Fresh)