DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

[JOSEPHC]

I understand the benefits of food grade DE, but I would appreciate specifically, guidelines on instructions, tools, methods, techniques of distributing DE inside a 5' x4' x 3' coop as well as a 8'x9' run. Do you apply it when the chickens are inside the coop as it may create an inhalation exposure? Any advice you can give will be welcomed. Thank you!

 

[Yay Chicks!]

I shake it out into the coop when the girls are in the run. If you don't have anything with a shaker top, just poke a bunch of holea into a yogurt (or whatever) container lid.

Within the run, I usually shake it onto the ground in the morning before I let the girls out of the coop.

 

[Angiebubs]

I have a tub in my coop in the winter that has dirt, DE and wood ashes for them to dust bathe in. I also add some each time I clean out the nestboxes. I use the deep litter method and sprinkled DE liberally on the ground before I put down pine shavings. I will add some to the fresh bedding eery few weeks or so.

 

[JOSEPHC]

Thank you! What type of container do you use to apply the DE? How much do you appl ?

 

[JOSEPHC]

Excellent idea with the container. How much do you apply to the run? What about the coop?

 

[Yay Chicks!]

I am not scientific about measurements in the coop or run. I just shake a bunch out in the coop to dry things out every few days (it's a small coop).