Future Breeds to get best for my climate

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Hold it... so we are on the same page is @redinator talking about feeding the DE to poultry to stop mites and skin irritation or dusting poultry with DE ??

 

[redinator]

Hold it... so we are on the same page is @redinator talking about feeding the DE to poultry to stop mites and skin irritation or dusting poultry with DE ??

Adding Food Grade DE to dust bath for mites I'm not sure where I read/heard that, but the information is floating around in my brain looking to be sorted or tossed, lol.

Thank Google for the confusion>>
How to Use Diatomaceous Earth with Chickens:

• Food-Grade Only:
  Always use food-grade DE, as other types can be harmful to chickens and humans.
  
  
• Dust Baths:
  • Create a dust bath area with a mix of DE, wood ash, and compost.
    
    
  • Encourage chickens to use the dust bath by placing it in a location where they can easily access it.
• Bedding:
  • Sprinkle DE in the bedding to help control parasites and keep the coop dry.
• Feed Supplement:
  • Add a small amount of DE to the chicken's feed, typically around 2% of their daily intake.
    
    
  • Start with a small amount and gradually increase as needed, while monitoring the chickens' health and behavior.
• Surface Treatment:
  • You can sprinkle DE on surfaces that chickens come into contact with, such as roosts and waterers, to help control parasites.
• Important Considerations:
  • Respiratory Issues: Avoid inhaling DE dust, as it can cause respiratory problems.
    
    
  • Overuse: Do not over-use DE, as it can lead to negative effects on the chickens' health.
    
    
  • Consult with a Veterinarian: If you have concerns about using DE with your chickens, consult with a veterinarian or poultry expert.

I think I first came across it when I was looking for dust bath options

 

[Down Under]

Adding Food Grade DE to dust bath for mites I'm not sure where I read/heard that, but the information is floating around in my brain looking to be sorted or tossed, lol.

Thank Google for the confusion>>
How to Use Diatomaceous Earth with Chickens:

• Food-Grade Only:
  Always use food-grade DE, as other types can be harmful to chickens and humans.
  
  
• Dust Baths:
  • Create a dust bath area with a mix of DE, wood ash, and compost.
    
    
  • Encourage chickens to use the dust bath by placing it in a location where they can easily access it.
• Bedding:
  • Sprinkle DE in the bedding to help control parasites and keep the coop dry.
• Feed Supplement:
  • Add a small amount of DE to the chicken's feed, typically around 2% of their daily intake.
    
    
  • Start with a small amount and gradually increase as needed, while monitoring the chickens' health and behavior.
• Surface Treatment:
  • You can sprinkle DE on surfaces that chickens come into contact with, such as roosts and waterers, to help control parasites.
• Important Considerations:
  • Respiratory Issues: Avoid inhaling DE dust, as it can cause respiratory problems.
    
    
  • Overuse: Do not over-use DE, as it can lead to negative effects on the chickens' health.
    
    
  • Consult with a Veterinarian: If you have concerns about using DE with your chickens, consult with a veterinarian or poultry expert.

I think I first came across it when I was looking for dust bath options

Yep as soon as i read mites and skin irritation I automatically thought topically administered, if it had of been worms or internal parasites I would have thought feeding it to them. Some swear by DE but the mites usually live in the coop so it will end up being a cycle of dust bathing and reinfection, with my plants it creates an environment that the mites don't want to live in and I just water them & occasionally divide them so it ends up being a lot less work and lower ongoing costs.

 

[redinator]

Yep as soon as i read mites and skin irritation I automatically thought topically administered, if it had of been worms or internal parasites I would have thought feeding it to them. Some swear by DE but the mites usually live in the coop so it will end up being a cycle of dust bathing and reinfection, with my plants it creates an environment that the mites don't want to live in and I just water them & occasionally divide them so it ends up being a lot less work and lower ongoing costs.

I plan to start a small home garden, one of the many reasons I decided to keep chickens, so would planting garlic around the perimeter of their run in raised beds suffice, it's 9x18?

 

[Down Under]

I plan to start a small home garden, one of the many reasons I decided to keep chickens, so would planting garlic around the perimeter of their run in raised beds suffice, it's 9x18?

9x18 feet or inches? and how deep is it?

 

[redinator]

9x18 feet or inches? and how deep is it?

Their run is 9x18ft, I haven't started the raised garden bed yet. I'm still working out what is safe to have near/in their run for them to pick at, but stuff we also eat. Anything they can eat free choice would be placed on the outside perimeter so branches that grow into the run they can pick at and the stuff on the far side would be for us. I have a mental picture, but sometimes it's hard to put into words, lol.

Our yard can get waterlogged at times. So raised beds and potted plants seem to be the only logical/manageable option. It would also mean I can move things around at different times of year for optimal sun/shade requirements.

 

[Down Under]

yep I sought of know what you are trying to describe. Garlic needs about 6 inch spacing so the end of your raised garden bed closest to the coop stick a couple of cloves of garlic in to grow. If you eat a lot of garlic then you will have plenty of room to grow more if you want.

 

[Down Under]

Our yard can get waterlogged at times. So raised beds and potted plants seem to be the only logical/manageable option. It would also mean I can move things around at different times of year for optimal sun/shade requirements.

Pots can be your best friend for plants that they devour, when they have pruned the plant for you, you can wheel them out to safety with a trolly to recover, unfortunately mine did have a feeding frenzy on one of my bamboo plants before I could get it away from them. I have also used hanging pots for things like Nasturtiums and Creeping Saltbush so that they can only eat what hangs down.