Diatomaceous earth.

[Painted Calls]

so you basically saying don't use it?

so you don't recommend it?

Correct.

 

[ceegeeque]

No, it really isn't. It can kill bugs and stuff when dry (when wet it is rendered completely useless.), it works by scraping away the exoskeleton. But it is not good for their respiratory system. If it kills bugs by scraping away the exoskeleton what do you think it would do to a chickens lungs?

When I clean out the coup and nesting boxes (an my goat pens). I put a layer of DEarth in each and then a layer of either dry bed (in front of nesting boxes) and wood chips in nesting. Been doing it for years. No bugs or pests, and no chicken health problems. We put a half tsp of human quality of DEarth in our coffee each morning (with knowledge of my PrimaryC doctor...also for years. I am 80.

 

[EmmaRainboe]

Been doing it for years. No bugs or pests, and no chicken health problems. .

Just because you haven't had any issues, doesn't mean you are gaining any benefits.

Like many newbies when I began I fell into the videos and blogs by Becky's Homestead and Lisa Steele. Both very highly supportive of DE.

I used it very thoroughly. I would put a thick 1/4" layer over the coop floor, under the bedding. Then all over the perches and in the nest boxes. Yet even so I ended up with a mite infestation within a few months.

I do think DE can kill pests. I successfully eliminated a lice infestion with it. But it just was not cost efficient. What took a whole bag of DE, the same job could have been done with a few sprays of permethrin; more effectively and cost efficiently. Also the potential respiratory irritation can be avoided. My chickens did not end up with any respiratory irritation, but that does not mean the possibility is not there.

Edited for typo***

 

[Kiki]

When I clean out the coup and nesting boxes (an my goat pens). I put a layer of DEarth in each and then a layer of either dry bed (in front of nesting boxes) and wood chips in nesting. Been doing it for years. No bugs or pests, and no chicken health problems. We put a half tsp of human quality of DEarth in our coffee each morning (with knowledge of my PrimaryC doctor...also for years. I am 80.

What on earth is DE supposed to do by drinking it in your coffee?

 

[WonkierZulu]

What on earth is DE supposed to do by drinking it in your coffee?

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1531/diatomaceous-earth

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1531/diatomaceous-earth

one thing my chickens are not is constipated

 

[Mother-Hen-Michele]

devil's advocate here...

don't forget that if DE kills worms that includes chicken-delicious garden-important earthworms and it also is deadly to bees (gosh knows we hear enough about their health issues).

on the other side...
I had a duck who was scratching her neck to the point of having red skin and losing the tiny coverage on her neck. I powdered her up once or twice just there, and no more itchy-whatever. (I couldn't see what was irritating her, but my eyes are far from good enough for tiny critters).

on the other other side...
I used to put it into the bottom of the nest box, but it just soaks up any humidity and would cake at the bottom of the nest, making it harder to clean out. (maybe at different times of the year/different climates, this is less of an issue for you)

 

[WonkierZulu]

one thing my chickens are not is constipated

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21673156/

 

[krimsonkitty]

Diatomaceous earth is very good for chickens, I use it as a de-wormer.

@JacinLarkwell @Eggcessive? Any info for this nice person?

I put it in the dust bath mix for mine...they love it

 

[krimsonkitty]

Hi, just wondering if diatomaceous earth is good for chickens respiratory system?And how often is it good to use? tnx

I put it in the dust bath mix for mine....they love it