The Red Chicken Mite
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!
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
