Using Diatomaceous Earth for Chickens - Ask Phill 4

[@EverettBurger]

Please remember, if you keep chickens and allow them to free range, you will get mites. Mites show up because wild birds use the same watering jugs, forage the same food, and simply visit your yard. Also, if you have a wooden coop, chances are you have mites. The humidity and temperature changes cause the wood to form tiny crevasses that mites hide during the day. Basically, if you get mites, you have not failed your flock in any way. You are not a bad chicken keeper. It simply happens to even the healthiest flock of chickens. OK, now that I got that out of the way...clean the coop regularly and DE is your friend!

[@sarahaugustine4185]

Thank you. This is by far the best explanation of DE I have found. Next time I clean the coop I will definitely use the paint on method to cover every nook and cranny.

[@tclinger6202]

This was the best video on DE I’ve seen. I’m looking to use it in an apartment in Brooklyn, NY, but the information works. Thanks, Phil!

[@flytesofancy]

Thank you for your kind comments T Clinger. So pleased the information was helpful to you.

[@CarrieMilburn]

Thank you! I have read/watched tons of info re: chickens and DE, and this is the best source!

[@flytesofancy]

Thank you so much for your kind comments Carrie.

[@JMAC-rs6ey]

Raising sum 64,000 head of chickens I use this in my coops

[@johnquine6398]

Thanks so much Phil. A very clear explanation of a product that was confusing on the net! Hello and thanks from Australia.

[@michellebarbour5777]

Such a clear and informative film. Thank you Phil.

[@lindsaynorman9323]

i love how you can use it on around the house and I dont have to worry about the dog eating it or the kids sitting on the carpet and getting sick off of other chemicals

[@nageeb96]

we love your videos .it is very useful and very thorough .and my Chicken Thank you Phill. Gabe .

[@alanhillier1033]

Love the way you explain things,cheers Phil🐔

[@flytesofancy]

Thanks 👍

[@mariesheppard3750]

Great video, you don t waste people time Your right to the point and know what your talking about, Thank you, I do use D E in my coop and wear a mask People on other video never wear a mask so sad they can do damage to there lungs,

[@stevennaidoo2856]

The best video ever.I just got my hens and you have being so helpful

[@phillipweymouth430]

Thanks Steven.

[@crazyorangejelly]

Great information thank you. You explained it so simply, not many Brits talk about it so really pleased thank you. Can I ask, if I was to make a 'paint', what sort of ratio would be best? I'd like to make this solution for my whole hen house as it is pretty but is pretty impracticable with the amount of nooks & crannies in it!

[@ronanzaid2154]

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[@forrestwalker8729]

@Ronan Zaid Instablaster ;)

[@ronanzaid2154]

@Forrest Walker i really appreciate your reply. I got to the site through google and I'm in the hacking process atm. I see it takes a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@ronanzaid2154]

@Forrest Walker It worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thank you so much you really help me out !

[@forrestwalker8729]

@Ronan Zaid Happy to help =)

[@mr.monster6298]

Very polite and well-spoken. Unlike a vast majority of people here in America

[@sahrajones731]

This channel is soooo helpful! Thank you

[@MrBezza86]

Excellent video. Thanks very much!

[@jiwbink]

NEW FAV CH!! T Y SOOO MUCH FOR THESE VIDEOS! INVALUABLE INFO!!

[@gregstickels5706]

I am told that if you are using deep litter bedding method, you cannot use DE in the coop bedding, as it is too effective at killing microbes necessary to break down the chicken manure. Wood ash should be used instead. You can still use the DE in the run, dust bath and feed.

[@flytesofancy]

To the very best of my knowledge and research, DE does not harm bacteria, in fact some bacteria actually use it as a source of silica. Therefore i personally do not see why it cannot be used in a deep litter system although of course it is a drying agent so if used in quantity this in itself will kill the bacteria. .

[@lonestarcoops6889]

DE is not anti-microbial. It will not harm the beneficial composting bacteria in deep litter. Confirmed with several DE manufacturers.

[@maryronan9758]

I paint the powder on plants, using a large paintbrush and paying special attention to protect my lungs, as DE is irritating to lungs.

[@lindsaypage5589]

Thanks for advice much appreciated... I've 6 rescue hens... Had then few weeks... I've purchased diatomaceous earth and used in Coop but 2 hens have lots blood coming from tail end (no feathers there, in fact hardly any on both hens)... Is it OK to use diatomaceous directly on skin of hens please...

[@blairtheageese5269]

Great job telling us ,

[@aba2415]

Thank you for the good information you give but I wanted to ask you I have 12 chicken and wanted to give DE how much should I put in their feed and also can I cook rice and put the DE once the rice is cook in order to stick into the rice so they can eat it cause the dust just fall from their feed cause is dry or it have to be dry in order to work???TIA

[@batucarumbata]

Gratitude

[@tammianderson3997]

How often do you use the Diatomaceous earth

[@BackyardGardenFlo]

Thanks for the Info can O give my puppy the DE in is food and if yed how much thanks!

[@flytesofancy]

Yes you can certainly feed your puppy Diatomaceous Earth, although we cannot advise how much you could feed them - you would have to do further research into the quantity

[@chrisw8389]

I have a bad infestation of mites in coop and surrounding ground around coop, never has it happened in twenty years of owning back yard chooks, I have used the DE all inside coop, and round base, it appears to be knocking them out. Problems is they are all over me as well I bath in tea tree oil and lavender oil every time I work on coop. Is there anything else I can use on me to stop the beggars?

[@phillipweymouth430]

I am so sorry to hear this Chris but unless you go for permethrin based pesticides which of course cannot be applied to the person. Keep going with the T tree oil. The only other choice I can think of would be, if you can move the birds, to use agricultural lime to dress the run which should kill them straight away.

[@keenaconner2108]

Can you use it on a dog with mange?

[@angietorok8389]

No one ever gives any hint of how much DE to put into a dist bath. Percentage? Sprinkle?

[@flytesofancy]

It is something that you somewhat have to gauge by eye, based on the area it is being used in. For example if you were using it in your coop and just applying a layer for Mite prevention, then a visible dredging is fine. Not unlike flouring a side for kneading dough - visible coverage but not too thick. When it comes to a dustbath, I personally work on a 3 part split between sand, soil and DE, using about 40% each sand and soil and the remaining 20% DE. If I have the time, I'll mix about half of the DE through with the sand and soil mix, and then apply the rest straight on top.

[@angietorok8389]

@@flytesofancy That's very helpful. I'm new to chickens and need a place to start. Thank you.

[@flytesofancy]

@@angietorok8389 No problem at all, glad we could help! Best of luck in your chicken keeping journey!

[@ImGinaMarie]

Would this be safe to use in a worm compost bin?

[@phillipweymouth430]

To be honest, I really don't know. I would suggest perhaps not.

[@ImGinaMarie]

@@phillipweymouth430 Thank you, I wonder what I can use, these teenie tiny red bugs are around the top of the bin...

[@Heatherchris33]

Will this work on Northern foul mites ?

[@flytesofancy]

Hi Heather, yes it certainly will, as with all natural methods it is best used as a preventative measure. If you have a serious issue with Northern Fowl Mite I would use Battles Red Mite Powder first as it contains a Pyrethroid pesticide that is safe for the birds but will kill the mites. Failing that, many vets do use Ivermectin as a spot on topical treatment as it will kill any kind of mite but there is an egg exclusion period and officially it is not licenced for use on poultry.

[@garybrinker4522]

What if Chicken inhales it ?

[@flytesofancy]

If you treat the coop without the birds in it there will be little dust when they return. In my experience it causes no problem at all.

[@KatheeDemontforte]

Don't get it in your eyes!

[@flytesofancy]

We always advocate wearing protective clothing