Chickens can get mites and internal worms that can cause many health problems. You don't have to reach for chemical treatments for these issues, because diatomaceous earth can resolve these problems.
I recently thought I found mites in my chicken coop and I decided to research mites and chickens. I learned that mites can be a huge issue in chickens even leading to death.
Internal parasites and worms can also cause a decline in your chicken's health. As chicken keepers we want to keep our chickens as healthy as possible so they can produce healthy eggs.
I like to feed my chickens these herbs, give them cayenne pepper, and let them free range. All these things increase your chicken's health while declining the chance of disease and sickness.
Diatomaceous Earth (DE for short) is one part of my chicken keeping routine.
What is Diatomaceous Earth
DE is used in organic gardening, food manufacturing, and other industries. It was first discovered in 1836, but since then it's use has widened.
DE is made of fossilized diatoms that are found in the layers of the earth. These little diatoms are algae like organisms that have died and been fossilized.
Most of these diatoms are white in color. If you look at DE under a microscope you can see jagged edges that were left behind from the living crustaceans.
This microscopic "shrapnel" is what makes DE so useful.
What Does DE Do
DE is abrasive to insects and other living organisms. DE is great for organic gardening because it can kill insects without using harsh chemicals.
It can also kill things like mites and internal parasites in chickens. DE is also dry and lightweight making it a great anti-caking agent.
DE may also have health benefits when taken internally.
What Type Of DE Should I Use
It is vitally important what type of DE you use around your chickens because some DE can harm them. When buying DE look for a label that says it is food grade and pure diatomaceous earth.
Some DE is filter grade which is used in water filtration, and it is not like food grade DE. Some DE is also mixed with an insecticide for horticultural use, and it is generally not safe for chickens.
Pure food grade DE is safe for using around chickens and you can use it in your garden. Don't use any other DE than food grade DE!
You can find the same food grade DE that I use right here.
How To Use DE For Chickens
DE is a regular part of my chicken keeping schedule. Here are some ways I use DE to raise healthy chickens.
Dust Bath Additive
Chickens will dust bathe to keep their feathers and skin healthy. Dust bathing can help chickens kill mites and other unwanted insects that may attach to them.
While dirt can remove most of these insects DE is another great insect killer. I like to sprinkle some DE where my chickens are dust bathing so that the DE kills any mites.
I don't have a dust bath built for my chickens, instead they make their own wherever they please. When they make a dust bath area simply sprinkle some DE on it and they will bathe in it.
Powder Their Roosts
Scaly mites affect chickens legs and feet and they are a nasty deal. I like to powder my chicken roosts with DE to prevent a scaly mite infestation.
When I clean my chicken coop I just make sure to powder the roost with DE. Prevention is best when it comes to mites.
Nest Boxes And Coop
I also spread DE in my chicken's nest boxes and all around the coop interior. DE is a pretty safe product and it can kill unwanted insects.
If your nesting boxes are filled with insects it may become unpleasant for your chickens to lay eggs. DE is a great way to get rid of these insects.
DE as a feed additive
Food grade DE is used as an anti-caking agent for animal feed, and it is even used for spices and flour. DE isn't just good for keeping food from caking, here are some health benefits of DE.
- May kill internal parasites
- Promotes healthy bones
- Provides silica (A needed mineral)
- Keep feathers and nails healthy
- Support healthy digestion
While some of these claims are still being studied DE seems to be helpful even when given as a feed additive. To feed chickens DE add no more than 2% DE to their feed.
Can DE Harm My Chicken's Lungs
A major concern among chicken keepers with using DE is the fact that it may damage a chicken's lungs. It is important to note that DE (like any dust) can harm your lungs because of its abrasiveness.
While DE is harmful if breathed in for humans, chicken's breath in dust all the time. When a chicken dust bathes it is no doubt inhaling some dust.
Chickens also scratch the ground and eat from the soil, ingesting dust. What I am trying to say is that chickens are already inhaling some dust that would normally harm humans.
I personally have not seen any issues in my chickens when using DE around them or in their dust bath. Chickens do have natural protection against dust like mucus membranes in their respiratory tract.
Chickens should have fresh water at all times so they can drink and "rinse" their beaks if they have too much dust. I found chickens to very intuitive to what harms, and doesn't harm, them.
Will DE Harm Me
When applying DE make sure to not inhale the abrasive dust. You can wear a dust mask to keep particles out.
DE can also cause eye irritation so be cautious and consider wearing safety glasses. I always apply DE on still days so that I am not stirring the dust up.
Overall I think DE is a great way to keep your chickens in good health and keep pests at bay.
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