[nzdunn]

ive got through the post today a puffer bottle of diatom, i havnt used this before, just been using the poultry sheild and the barrier powders.    I know about putting diatom on the bedding, knooks and crannys but can you also powder the birds themselves with it like you do the barrier powders       nickyx

[beulah59]

Yes, you can powder the girls, but do they have a dustbath? Just dump some in there and they'll do it themselves

[nzdunn]

thankyou, for some strange reason when i pop powder into their dust bath they wont go in it, diva girls i tell you, hubby and i have it down to a fine art anyway, aswell as redmite, does the diatom have effect on the other kinds of mite.  nickyx

[grumpydad]

as far as i am aware it is good against mites and lice, some have used it internally as well, but i will stick to external use only and flubenvet internally

martyn

[poultrygeist]

In theory, anything with a waxy, outer cuticle that prevents them from dehydrating will be affected to a more or lesser extent. It works by causes microscopic scratches through their cuticle so that they gradually dehydrate or dessicate.
I'm mazed it isn't more widely used, since it is organic and has no chemicals but maybe there's a downside to it ?

Expense ?

Rob

[lisa80]

im sure a sellers write up on fleabay said diatom can be used orally in their food as a wormer??? i havent read this as being one of its uses before

[Flowerpower136]

I got mine (both puffer bottle, and big refil tub) from flytes, and they include a really good info sheet.
You can use as wormer, can also use around kitchen cupboards etc.
I puff it all round the coop and into the wood shavings, also in straw in the nest boxes along with louse powder, then they'll get a dose when they nest.