Does diatomaceous earth kill mites and lice?
I have used it and found it works alright, but that said, I almost never used it alone. I fed it sometimes, and never had a problem with worms or parasites either.
In their diet I also used multiple other natural wormers as a staple, alternating them, such as carrot, raw garlic, cayenne and black pepper, tabasco, etc.
In the soils of their coops and the paddock and yard where they roam I used hydrated agricultural lime, wood ash, diatomaceous earth, mugwort and other herbs like that, etc.
I have seen it have immediate effects on parasites when I've used it with newly bought in poultry which had not been on the deworming diet so I know it can work.
Is it safe for chickens and quail?
In my experience with chickens, yes it's safe, and there were tiny wild quail that always frequented the bush edges of the paddock and yard, and they only seemed to thrive alongside the poultry, so I'd guess it's not harmful to them either.
In the places where it's naturally present and rich in the soils, it doesn't kill the small animals, so I would not worry. It's only fatal to things that are able to die from hemorrhaging to death by microscopic cuts that even in a tiny bird wouldn't break more than the top layer of skin.
Will it kill them if a they are day old chicks?
Not in my experience. I didn't directly feed D.E. to them as at that age they don't need it, but I did rear them outdoors under their mothers, where their nests were often brooded in soils that had D.E. in them, and their first feeds were scratched from such soils as well, so they would have taken some in. No problems.
I would though restrict a baby's access to a dust bathing spot that has a high concentration of D.E. Mine didn't take harm from it but there is always a possibility that a decent eyeful or lungful could do some harm, which is true of dirt as well. I haven't seen that happen but better safe than sorry, of course.
Where can I buy it at?
This is the big question and I believe where you buy from directly affects the grade and usefulness of the D.E. For example the D.E. I used was bought from a swimming pool supplier as it's also used as pool filter material. When you took a handful of it, your skin was made abrasive immediately. It's not a smooth soft powder even when it's very fine, and if it is, it's too soft to do its job. Possibly too degraded or aged. It didn't hurt my hands but even though I already have rough hands as a rule, they became even rougher immediately anytime I handled it.
People buy it for their animals in pet shops, produce stores, feed barns etc but many people complain it does nothing. This might be too fine a grade, perhaps. If the flakes are too small, friable or rounded at the edges, they won't even hurt insects and soft bodied worms. If you can get the D.E. that's used to worm horses, that would definitely do it.
Sorry for all the questions. Any help, tips, or advice is greatly appreciated and thanks in advance!
Don't apologize for questions, that's basically what the majority of this site's purpose is, unless I'm very much mistaken.
Plenty of people will tell you it doesn't work because it didn't work for them, but as with many natural treatments there are those who do no research or testing as to the efficacy of the materials they use, or the methods via which they are best applied, who then dismiss the treatments as quackery when they actually do work.... When applied correctly with the correct materials.
Best wishes with your flock.
