Questions: How to mix diatomaceous earth with chicken feed? how often should i sprinkle de in chicken coop? is diatomaceous earth safe for chickens to eat? how to use diatomaceous earth for mites? How do I use diatomaceous earth for chickens?
Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural product formed from fossils of skeleton remains of microscopic diatoms. These algae are obtained from freshwater, oven-dried, and ground into off-white powder. It is believed to have been created millions of years ago.
Diatomaceous earth usually comprises clay minerals that account for 2-3% of the diatomaceous earth’s makeup, including 0.5-2% iron oxide and 80–90% silica. It can be found in toothpaste, metal polishes, different filters (like swimming pool filters), and grain storage pest control.
Beneficial trace minerals are also known to be present in diatomaceous earth. Even if it isn’t reducing worms, it is a useful food additive for poultry because some studies indicate it can assist in boosting feed efficiency (feed conversion) and egg size.
Diatomaceous earth for chickens is called food-grade diatomaceous earth. Amorphous silica makes up most of the material in food-grade diatomaceous earth and relatively little crystalline silica.
Diatomaceous earth is sold to poultry suppliers online and at agricultural stores. It’s typically sold in tubs, but most farmers prefer shaker tubs because they are simpler.
Also Read: Poultry Worming: 5 Common Chicken Worms and Treatments
Does diatomaceous earth pose a risk to chickens?
Most individuals assume that diatomaceous earth is completely safe because it is organic, but it poses a risk to the chickens and sometimes the farmer.
Regarding DE being used as ‘food grade,’ one cannot be sure since most amorphous silica is not recommended for poultry intake. Hence there’s a need to take keen precautions on the type of diatomaceous earth to buy for your chickens.
When inhaled, crystalline silica particles can adhere to the lungs, resulting in respiratory silicosis.
Using diatomaceous earth for parasite control in chickens
Diatomaceous earth can be used to treat poultry parasites like mites and lice.
Using DE for red mites
Red mite control is aided by diatomaceous earth. The abrasive powder penetrates these mites’ waxy exterior covering, which subsequently draws lipids from it, causing the mites to dehydrate and ultimately die. Diatomaceous earth can be dusted into cracks and crevices of poultry houses, wooden perches, and perches-end and mixed with poultry beddings when red mite infestations are high.
Note that in case of bad red mites infestation, using only DE is not recommended because it will cause anemia in your chickens, the laying of eggs will be ceased, and eventually, chickens will die.
In times like this, you may need a more drastic and harsh approach to eliminate the red mites.
Also Read: Chicken worming using chemicals
Using DE for lice
Chickens can get lice occasionally, and it is known that dusting them with diatomaceous earth and giving them a bath in it are effective treatments.
Each chicken should be dusted and then given a dust bath. One decent dusting may be sufficient in certain cases, but if they rarely utilize the dust bath, you must treat them once more.
Using DE for northern fowl mite
In a 2011 study, Bennett et al. discovered that when two different types of hybrid chickens were treated with diatomaceous earth after being infected with the Northern fowl mite, they had considerably fewer mites than the sand-treated control hens.
Although employing DE is more efficient than using sand, a solution won’t be found immediately; it will require repeated treatments for at least a few days. Additionally, you may give the chickens a DE-containing dust bath as a self-care remedy.
Also Read: Worming chickens naturally
How to use DE to control poultry parasites
Diatomaceous earth can be used in three ways: in the kitchen coop, as a dust bath, or in between the chicken’s feathers.
In the chicken coop
After cleaning the coop, you can sprinkle DE over the flooring, mix it with the chicken bedding, and apply it to cracks and crevices, wooden perches, and the ends of perches if there is a mite infestation.
DE dust baths
To control lice or mites infestation, you could mix DE with the chicken baths (compost or sand) for the chickens to treat themselves. Because DE can cause respiratory problems, chickens should have limited time in the dust baths to create balance.
Dusting DE onto chickens
The DE powder can also be rubbed or applied between the chicken feathers. The only drawback to this approach is that you must first restrict the chicken. Note that a chicken becomes easy and calm to restrain when it faces you.
Worming chickens with diatomaceous earth
You can also use DE to treat and control internal parasites(worms). Though it hasn’t been scientifically proven and tested yet, since it contains beneficial trace minerals, it is believed to be a helpful food additive.
