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, tiny aquatic organisms with shells made of silica. To us, it looks like a fine, white powder. But on a microscopic level, the particles have sharp edges that can cut and penetrate the waxy outer coating of insects and mites. This causes the parasites to dry out and die within a day or two of exposure. DE is non-toxic to chickens but lethal to external parasites.
How Does DE Work in the Chicken Coop?
Sprinkling food-grade DE throughout your coop allows the dust to settle directly onto crawling pests like mites and lice. As the mites move around, the DE particles pierce their protective coating and cause dehydration. It also abrades and damages their bodies, eventually killing them. DE is most effective when placed in cracks, corners, roosts, and similar spots where mites congregate. Over time, it will control infestations and prevent new ones from taking hold. Just a light dusting once a week is all it takes.
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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Avoid breathing in DE dust yourself by wearing a mask while sprinkling it. 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 simple precautions, DE carries little risk to chickens while being very effective against external parasites. Monitor your flock after first use to ensure no respiratory issues arise.
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 Coop Floor: Dust a small amount on the floor of the coop, particularly in corners and along walls where pests might hide. Cover it with bedding to help contain any dust.
- Add to Nests and Bedding: Lightly sprinkle it in nesting boxes and on top of bedding to discourage parasites in areas where your chickens spend a lot of time.
- Apply to Chickens: If your chickens have mites or lice, you can dust a small amount directly on their feathers, focusing on the base of the feathers and near the vent. Be gentle to avoid over-dusting.
- Regular Maintenance: Reapply every time you change the bedding or if you notice dampness.
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:
- Natural Pest Control: Diatomaceous earth can help to manage mites, lice, and other pests in your coop and on your chickens, making it easier to keep your birds healthy.
- Keeps Bedding Dry: It absorbs moisture, which helps to keep bedding and nesting areas dry and fresh.
- Better Overall Cleanliness: Regular use helps prevent build-up of unwanted smells and mess, creating a cleaner coop environment.
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 for short, can be used on animals and birds to treat against external parasites (lice, fleas, mites), and even internal parasites (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. Like I mentioned above, chickens like to fluff everywhere! So to make sure that your chickens benefit from the DE, sprinkle it everywhere that the chickens fluff.
How do you get rid of red mites in a chicken coop?
Spread the Diatomaceous Earth Use a scoop to spread the food grade Diatomaceous Earth in every nook and cranny of your coop. 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.