Permaculture Tips: Diatomaceous Earth and Chicken Parasites

The Red Chicken Mite

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If you keep chickens, then you know about keeping a dust box or dust pile available for them.  Chickens coat themselves with fine dust to help rid their bodies of exoparasites (i.e. external parasites: lice, mites, etc.)  The dust creates an inhospitable environment for these pests.

If you add a handful of diatomaceous earth to the dust box every once in a while, it will make the dust significantly more effective.  (You can read more about diatomaceous earth in my previous post.)

This is a very easy technique that keeps your chickens more healthy and more happy.

Happy chickens taking turns in the dust!

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A Permaculture Tip is an idea that is derived from observing and interacting with nature.  It is simple.  It is safe.  It is effective.  It helps build a sustainable system of agriculture.  If you have any Permaculture Tips you would like to share, please let me know.  I will post it here, give you the credit, and post a link to your blog or website if you have one.  Email me here: kitsteiner@hotmail.com