So let us now take you to a poultry farm where you can learn about the key secret ingredient in caring for your flock happily and healthily and that is non other than diatomaceous earth (DE).
This undemanding component, extracted from diatoms fossil remains, is a remedy for big advantages to chicken’s wellbeing – a plethora of benefits. DE has a lot of applications ranging from insect control to some of the health problems that afflict your feathered friends.
With chemicals out of the way, this is a practical solution that will not only increase the wellness of your birds but also the population. Let’s explore how to use diatomaceous earth for chickens for better your chicken husbandry expertise.
Understanding Diatomaceous
Scale Diatomite is another term by which diatomaceous earth (DE) is known. This is a kind of microscopically-fine powder arisen as exoskeleton of the long-extinct diatoms (microalgae which live in aquatic environments) that existed millions of years ago.
The physical processes of diatoms brought about accumulation and fossilization of sediments that become diatomite, which is a soft, chalky rock with a sedimentary structure.
DE is later distilled from diatomite through crushing and pulverizing processes, thus yielding the pycroparticle containing a mixture of silica and various trace elements. This characteristic result in DE which is remarkable in the poultry management. This is what elevate DE to be in poultry management.
Pest Management In Chicken Prep
The chookies habitat is later protected by one arsenic that can be found in diatomaceous earth to avoid problems caused by pests. Poultry pests like mites, lice, fleas, and ticks, common enemies are the most feared by any poultry keeper, because they do not only cause bodily discomfort and stress, but if left unattended, they lead to health hazards too.
Meanwhile, DE rides to the rescue of our friends by working as a mechanical insecticide that has rough abrasive surface. When pest authorities communicate with DE, microscopic minute points of the powder scratch and remove their fragile exoskeleton, hence causing desiccation and death from dehydration.
Promoting Digestive Health
Diatomaceous earth, even though it does not only provide wonderful external accessories, also has benefits for improving chickens’ digestive health and well-being.
Frequent sprinkling of DE on animal feed is good for digestion and proper maintenance of chicken’s gut health. This gritty food is multifunctional within DE, usually scavenging out different worms’ kind of like internal parasites in a critter (a phenomenon known as grazing).
When taken, the sharp fiber of DE go through the digestive tract, this is how to use diatomaceous earth for ants to smash the exoskeletons of some internal parasites, and also significantly reducing their number in the flock.
Dust Bath Delight
Dust bath is very well known to chickens, so it is a great place to add diatomaceous earth into the mix providing more benefits. The reason for dust bathing varies depending on the season, objective, and size of the flock.
For instance, dust bathing helps chickens to keep their feathers clean by removing dust and other particles from their bodies. In addition, dust bathing aids in regulating their body temperature, especially during hot summer days.
Moreover, dust bathing is a way of controlling external parasites such as mites and lice. When you set aside an area complete with DE processed naturally as a source for dust bathing, not only are you facilitating natural behavior, but also inducing more parasite control effectiveness.
The DE bath is a perfect opportunity for chickens to fluff and preen themselves. With flecks of powder adhering to their feathers, they effectively can repel and kill any external pests like mites and lice.
Conclusion
To sum up, diatomaceous earth is the natural supreme solution when dealing with all the unhealthy problems in poultry, and providing positive outcomes for chicken and the farmers alike.
DE is not only the deal-breaker for pests’ control but also offers benefits to your birds’ health and digestive systems which will assist in maintaining the productivity of your flock.
Diatomaceous earth use provides the environmental conditions that your birds can thrive in and look forward to it. Be fully engaged with DE and upgrade your beautiful journey of chicken keeping to a league of its own.
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