Diatomaceous earth for chickens: why and how to use it correctly (2024)

Diatomaceous earth for chickens: why and how to use it correctly

If you are looking for natural ways to treat your flock for parasites, you may want to add diatomaceous earth for chickens to your care plan.

In recent years, more and more chicken owners have turned to natural methods of farm care. Fortunately, more research is being done every year to use this ancient substance to prevent external parasites on our chickens.

Read on to learn more about how we recommend using diatomaceous earth safely for chickens.

Our choice for diatomaceous earth for our chickens

What is diatomaceous earth?

The name, diatomaceous earth, sounds like very intense sand... or a chemical.

But according toNational Pesticide Information Center, Diatomaceous earth is 'made from the fossilized remains of small, aquatic organisms called diatoms. Their skeletons are made of a natural substance called silica.

Over a long period of time, diatoms have accumulated in the sediment of rivers, streams, lakes and oceans. Today, silica deposits are mined in these areas.”

In other words: this is silty powderoud. Furthermore, when examined under a microscope, the powder is actually quite sharp.

Its sharpness and finesse make it an extremely drying agent. That's why it works well to kill unwanted external parasites in your chicken coop.

It dries and cuts the parasites, even through the parasite's exoskeleton.

Why use diatomaceous earth for chickens?

If you don't use parasite removal chemicals on your chickens, adding diatomaceous earth (DE) to your routine maintenance schedule can help reduce the need to overwhelm your birds withtoxic chemicals.

That said, DE should be used primarily as a preventative measure in your chicken coop, rather than in response to a full-blown infestation.

You can also give diatomaceous earth to chickens in the form of a mixturestofbad, so your chickens can roll around in it when they feel the need to arrange their own outside ride (more on this soon).

Simply put, using diatomaceous earth for chickens instead of other external parasite prevention means you reduce the unnecessary use of chemicals and allow your chickens to fend for themselves naturally.

Safety Concerns When Using Diatomaceous Earth for Chickens

While using diatomaceous earth for chickens is a natural way to prevent thisparasites, there are still some security issues to be aware of (for both you and your chooks).

Diatomaceous earth is fine and sharp. If inhaled, it can cause breathing problems for both you and your chickens. That's why it's wise to take all your chickens out of the coop before dusting.

And don't forget to wear a mask to protect your lungs from fine DE particles.

You'll notice that we're not talking about chicken dusting directly; Inhalation hazards are the main reason for this.

Avoid direct application of diatomaceous earth

Some swear by the direct application of DE to their chickens. However, due to its drying properties and ability to cause respiratory problems, we feel it is safer to use it as an indirect form of prevention in your chicken coop.

Second, it is imperative to ensure that you have chosen the food-safe version of diatomaceous earth for chickens when working with it.

There is another version of DE that is often used as a filtering methodswimmingswimming pools and water filters.

According toIngredi.com"Swimming pool grade diatomaceous earth is calcined, meaning it has been heat treated and activated for use in filters. The high temperatures further harden the exoskeletons of the diatoms, creating a better filter medium.

This process also changes the silicon dioxide in DE to crystalline silica. Some calcined DE products, including swimming pool grade diatomaceous earth, may contain high concentrations.

Because crystalline silica is hazardous and can be harmful to both human and animal health, Pool/Filter grade diatomaceous earth should only be used for filtration.”

Use only food grade diatomaceous earth for chickens

In other words, the DE used in filter systems has changed. So always make sure that you only use food grade diatomaceous earth for chickens.

Finally, if you use DE on the floor of your chicken coop, be sure to provide plenty of bedding on top of the DE. Unfortunately, the drying effect of DE can cause cracks on the underside of your chickens' feet if they come into direct contact with it.

This can lead to cracks and ulcers on the feet and even infections such ashop foot.

So make sure there is a generous layer of bedding between DE and your chickens.

Should you use diatomaceous earth internally on your chickens?

When it comes to feeding DE to your chickens, its effectiveness is currently unproven. Some believe that the sharpness of the DE particles will cut and kill the parasite in their birds.

However, others believe that the drying and cutting properties of DE are not effective when it comes into contact with so much moisture (i.e. in the chickens' digestive systems).

There is also little research on the safety of using diatomaceous earth for chickens for consumption, so use caution if you decide to supplement your chickens' feed with DE.

How to use diatomaceous earth for chickens

When planning your annual herd care, I recommend implementing DE at least once every three months.

How to use DE:

1. Remove your flock from the coop

Keep in mind that your chickens will not be able to inhale the DE particles without having difficulty breathing. So make sure that everyone is at a safe distance from the garden before you start dusting the garden.

2. Clean Coop's dirty bedding

Remove all old chicken bedding and dispose of it far from your chicken's home. Tagalong parasites can latch onto anything and find their way back into your cage (including cat coats).

3. Let Coop dry

If you can afford to keep your chickens in a temporary space for about a day, allow the floor in your chicken coop to dry naturally before adding DE.

This ensures that THEY have the best chance of coming into contact with existing parasites.

4. Wear a mask and goggles

Remember, you don't want to inhale DE because it is very sharp and dry. Plus, it can be drying and irritating to the eyes... so glasses are often necessary.

5. Open Windows

When it comes to DE, a little goes a long way, and all thatLillewill linger in the air for a while if there is not proper ventilation.

So, if possible, let in some fresh air before spreading DE in your chicken coop.

6. Spred Diatoméjorden

Use a shovel to spread food-grade diatomaceous earth into every nook and cranny of your chicken coop. Concentrate directly on the floor and any wood in the garden (red poultry mites hang here).

Don't forget to clean and dust the living rooms of your home (also a favorite place for mites).

7. Coop bed again

Once the diatomaceous earth has settled and the garden is clean, it's time to re-cover the soil with your favorite bedding.

8. Check Chooks for parasites

Before placing your chickens back in the coop, check them for parasites that may already be hiding in their feathers.

If necessary, spray your chickens with an essential oil-based solution to kill existing external parasites before placing them in their freshly cleaned coop.

On the other hand, if the infestation is heavy, a chemical spray may be the best option to save your flock.

9. Welcome your chickens home

Once you have redecorated the coop with your favorite bedding, you can reintroduce your chickens to their home.

Make a dust bath with diatomaceous earth for chickens

Nothing is more overlooked than a dust bath when it comes to chicken care.

In fact, a dust bath is one of the best ways to help your chickens thriveexternal parasitesand body oils alone.

And if you've ever let your chickens out of the coop and watched them look for a sunny, salty spot to romp in, you know they'll appreciate an easily accessible dust bath.

But if you want, you can make a dust bathdiatomaceous earth for chickenswe recommend mixing fine dirt from your home with a small amount of DE.

As you know, chickens love to kick up dust when bathing, so it's important to control the amount of DE in their baths so they don't develop respiratory problems from DE.

Our choice for diatomaceous earth for our chickens

Diatomaceous earth as an external aid for the prevention of parasites

Finally, you can use food-grade diatomaceous earth to prevent external parasites from growing out of control naturally. To get ahead of the ball when it countsparasiteis the key to saving your flock.

While we don't recommend applying DE directly to your chickens, it is a safe tool to use on the surfaces your chickens come into contact with most.

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