If youre new to chicken keeping, you might have heard about diatomaceous earth as a way to keep your coop and chickens healthy. But what exactly is it, and how can it benefit your chooks?.
Diatomaceous earth—sometimes called “DE”—is a natural powder that’s become popular among chicken keepers for its ability to keep coops clean and pests at bay. Made from fossilized diatoms, this powder acts as a natural way to tackle mites, lice, and other pests without the need for harsh chemicals.
For Aussie backyard chicken keepers looking for simple, safe, and effective solutions, diatomaceous earth is a great way to fight mites, lice, and other pests in the coop without heavy chemicals. It’s 100% safe and food-grade, so it won’t hurt your chickens’ health or the eggs they lay.
If you’re keen to give it a go, we recommend bird and poultry-grade diatomaceous earth, specially made for use around chickens.
We will now talk about what diatomaceous earth does, how to use it, and why it is safe for your chickens.
Get Rid of Chicken Mites with Diatomaceous Earth in the Coop
Chicken mites are a common pest that can make life miserable for your flock. These tiny parasites feed on your chickens’ blood, leaving them itchy, stressed, and prone to health issues. Luckily, there’s a natural solution – diatomaceous earth (DE). Adding DE to your coop is an effective and chemical-free way to control mites while keeping your chickens happy and healthy.
What Is Diatomaceous Earth?
DE is a powder made from fossilized diatoms, which are very small sea creatures with silica shells. To us, it looks like a fine, white powder. But when you look at them very closely, the particles have sharp edges that can cut through the waxy covering of bugs and mites. In just one or two days, the parasites will have dried out and died because of this. DE is non-toxic to chickens but lethal to external parasites.
How Does DE Work in the Chicken Coop?
If you sprinkle food-grade DE all over your coop, the dust will land right on crawling bugs like mites and lice. While the mites are moving, the DE particles pierce their shells and dry them out. It also abrades and damages their bodies, eventually killing them. DE works best when put in cracks, corners, roosts, and other places where mites like to gather. Over time, it will get rid of infestations and stop new ones from starting. When you dust it once a week, it’s fine.
Is DE Safe for Chickens?
Food-grade DE is considered non-toxic for chickens. When used properly, the risks are very low. However, there are a few precautions to take:
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Wear a mask while spreading DE dust so you don’t breathe it in. The particles can irritate lungs if inhaled.
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Do not apply DE directly onto your chickens’ skin and feathers. Let them contact it only indirectly from coop surfaces. Inhaling the dust is the primary risk for birds.
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Ensure chickens have adequate ventilation while DE is settling after application.
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Provide plenty of clean bedding over floor-applied DE so birds do not directly contact or ingest it in large quantities.
With these easy steps, DE doesn’t pose much of a threat to chickens and works very well against external parasites. After the first use, keep an eye on your flock to make sure no breathing problems happen.
How to Apply DE for Maximum Effectiveness
Using DE properly is key to getting the most out of its pest-fighting abilities. Follow these tips:
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Remove all chickens from the coop before applying DE. Keep them out until dust settles.
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Wear a mask and protective eyewear yourself when handling DE. Avoid inhaling or ingesting.
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Apply a fine layer over all coop surfaces – floors, roosts, nest boxes, walls, etc. Target cracks and crevices.
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Use an applicator or sifter to distribute DE into hard-to-reach spots. This maximizes coverage while minimizing mess.
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Allow DE to sit for 6-12 hours before reintroducing chickens to settle fully.
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Provide ample clean bedding over floor areas treated with DE.
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Reapply weekly to maintain effectiveness. Add extra when cleaning the coop.
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Consider constructing a DE-filled dust bathing station to allow chickens to “dust” themselves.
With regular, thorough application, DE can eliminate a mite infestation within 2-6 weeks. Maintain usage at least monthly to deter future outbreaks. Monitor chickens closely and remove DE if any respiratory issues arise.
Benefits of Using DE in Your Coop
Beyond mite control, DE offers some additional perks:
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It’s chemical- and toxin-free unlike some traditional pesticides
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Helps dry out droppings and reduce ammonia odor
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Lowers overall moisture, mold, and bacteria levels in the coop
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Can help repel ants, roaches, and other crawling insects
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Is highly affordable compared to other pest control options
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Works for a variety of livestock housing, not just chicken coops
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Can be used in organic chicken raising
By utilizing this unique natural substance, you can easily manage external parasites in your flock. DE is safe, effective, inexpensive, and easy to apply – a win-win for your chickens’ health and your peace of mind! Maintain diligence, monitor your birds, and take basic protective measures when using DE, and you’ll reap the pest-fighting benefits.
How to Use Diatomaceous Earth in the Chicken Coop?
Applying diatomaceous earth in the coop is simple:
- Sprinkle on the Floor of the Coop: Sprinkle a little on the floor of the coop, especially in cracks and along walls where bugs could hide. Cover it with bedding to help contain any dust.
- Add to Nests and Bedding: Sprinkle it lightly in nesting boxes and on top of bedding to keep parasites away from places where your chickens spend a lot of time.
- If your chickens have mites or lice, you can dust a small amount directly on their feathers, paying special attention to the base of the feathers and near the vent. Be gentle to avoid over-dusting.
- Regular Care: Apply again whenever you change the sheets or if you see that they are getting wet.
Tip: When handling diatomaceous earth, wear gloves and a dust mask to avoid inhaling the fine particles, which can be drying to the skin. Inhaling the DE dust might irritate the lungs.
Why Use Diatomaceous Earth in the Coop?
Using diatomaceous earth in your chicken coop has some real benefits for both you and your chickens:
- Diatomaceous earth is a natural way to get rid of mites, lice, and other pests that live in and on your chickens. This will help you keep your birds healthy.
- Keeps Bedding Dry: It soaks up water, which keeps bedding and nesting areas dry and clean.
- Better Overall Cleanliness: The regular use keeps smells and mess from building up, making the coop cleaner.
Using Diatomaceous Earth in Chicken Coops, Dust Baths, and on Chickens ||100% Natural|| LINK IN DESC
FAQ
Can I put diatomaceous earth in my chicken coop?
Yes, diatomaceous earth (DE), specifically food-grade DE, can be safely used in a chicken coop to help control pests like mites and lice. It works by dehydrating and killing these pests, and it can also help manage moisture and odor in the coop.
How much diatomaceous earth for chickens per gallon?
Mix one cup of DE to 1/2 gallon of water. Stir frequently.
What is the best bug repellent for chicken coop?
Citronella: Citronella is safe for chickens and is great for keeping bugs away – particularly mosquitoes. Put a few potted citronella plants in the coop.
Will diatomaceous earth get rid of worms in chickens?
Earth, or DE, can be used on birds and animals to get rid of external parasites like fleas, mites, and lice, as well as internal parasites like worms. May 24, 2023
How do you add de to a chicken coop?
The easiest way to incorporate DE into your coop is by offering a dust box loaded with a diatomaceous earth/sand or dirt mix. There’s really no formula for how much of either to offer, so I go with a 1:1 ratio. I found when I offered a box with diatomaceous earth alone, the chickens looked at me like I’d grown a second head, and they didn’t use it.
How do you use diatomaceous earth in a chicken coop?
Use DE Around Your Coop and Chicken Yard Sprinkle diatomaceous earth around the chicken yard and coop. Yes, I already said that chickens like to fluff everywhere. To make sure that your chickens get the DE, sprinkle it where the chickens fluff.
How do you get rid of red mites in a chicken coop?
Spread out the Diatomaceous Earth: Use a scoop to cover your whole coop with food-grade Diatomaceous Earth. Focus directly on the floor and any wood in the coop (red poultry mites hang out here). Don’t forget to clean and dust the roosts in your coop (also a favorite place for mites).
Is de good for chickens?
DE is rich in silica, silicates, iron oxide, sulfuric acid, and other trace minerals that are beneficial to chicken digestion. Additionally, DE helps to break down food particles more quickly in the chicken’s stomach which allows them to absorb more nutrients from their food.
Can you add de to chicken feed?
Adding DE to your chicken feed can result in many health benefits to chickens. A 2019 study found that food-grade DE is safe for adding to animal feed. For example, supplementing the diet with DE resulted in heavier chickens. But, compared to chickens that weren’t fed DE supplements, the weight of internal organs was similar.
Does (de) really help a chicken eat better?
The addition of Diatomaceous Earth (DE) to a chicken’s diet may provide additional benefits including increased body weight, egg production and egg quality as well as decreased internal parasites in poultry with a lower natural resistance. However, it may not.