Yvonne Chick

Thanks so much, Tracy. We have used DE a couple of times since we got them, all over both them and the coop and they are definitely interested in it, at will, too. Good to have some idea about the timeframe on the eggs.

We rescued about 70 birds last week; we didn't know quite the # we would be getting or the state of neglect they were in but, for the most part, they seem okay so far, mostly underwatered, overcrowded, and underfed (and what they were fed definitely wasn't good quality). We culled their numbers the 2nd day and have a much more manageable number that we will be able to care for effectively. No foraging with the record snows here in Maine this year (for a while longer, I feel sure) but we've been feeding them decent-quality grain and mashes of lard from our pigs, lentils, oats, DE (and misc. others) as well as some fresh veggies (don't think the pigs are too pleased to be sharing their limited produce...).

I'm wondering -- from any of you who might have an opinion -- how long do you think they need for recovery before any eggs they lay will be healthy for our consumption? We've seen a few eggs in the week we've had them but with their state of health, the stress, their malnourishment, and the time of year, I wouldn't expect them to be putting much toward egg-laying, of course, the poor birds, and I wouldn't feel they were in good enough health for us to eat their meat or eggs until they've gotten significantly healthier either.

What do any of you think? How fast does solid, foundational health turn around for chickens? Once you change a chicken's diet, how long does it take their body to utilize nutrients and for their system to integrate that health?

I'd appreciate any advice or thoughts. Thanks!

Thank you both Tina and Dan for your posts. These are just the kinds of thoughts that have been on my mind around this. Much appreciated! I'll look at the Germany avenue, too; I wouldn't have thought of that.

I have just read more, recently, about charcoal and its detoxing benefits though at this point I've not done any balanced research (the other side) on it or thought much about it before. My son is a woodsman and has just started informal trials of Biochar with a plan to integrate into the gardens this Spring. My completely uneducated first thought is to find out if this avenue is, potentially, eventually, a source for charcoal we might ingest if and when we might feel a particular need for it. That's a ways out at this point but we will know, personally, the integrity of the source, at least. I think this will go onto the clipboard for "future research and possibilities..." It doesn't seem like there's any harm in trying charcoal internally (unrelated to Biochar). This is how I felt about DE as well: research and assess the potential for harm and if that looks good, find a reputable source and try it and see if it brings particular benefit.

(just a quick note that it's Justin, not Jason. I don't imagine he'll mind, but good to note)

Thanks, again, for the great info!

It does help and, once again, your thoughts are just what I've been wondering about and mulling over, so perfect timing. I also LOVE the "bug's-eye view" of their landscape - thank you! It seems very likely that I'll be out in the gardens among the plants this summer with a much "larger" perspective (that totally delights me, btw!) and it will never look quite the same to me again!

We have nutrient-depleted soil, as well and, during our short off-season, as we approach our 2nd year on this land, we are drawing up both our short- and long-term approaches with an eye toward integrating permaculture principles into all we do here as fully as possible. All new thoughts are completely welcome , always, as saving time later is nothing but good and, as well, sometimes concepts need to sift in over time waiting for the point at which they naturally fit into the bigger process.

I'll keep watching these posts for further info! I'm glad to have come across you. Much thanks!

Thank you, Justin, for your reply. I really appreciate your expertise and experience on this subject. I've had some of these same concerns about the effects of DE on the soil and will, likely go with your general philosophy of focusing on zone 0 in our use (including our farm animals) until there is more definitive info/wisdom in some of these areas. I, also, have wondered about the mineral content and possible plant benefit; if you can ever report back on your blueberry experiment, I'm sure many of us would be very interested! We will order some of your DE/CB as I was unsure what source to buy from for a quality product. Thanks, again.

Hi Justin! Thanks for this opportunity to learn more about DE; I've done a little research so far and already know that we'll plan to use it on our farm this coming year in whatever ways possible. After our potato beetle invasion last summer, I'm wondering about why we haven't heard or seen more about DE for garden bugs and whether you can share any experience you might have with that. Is there some simple reason (that I don't have enough experience or knowledge about yet) as to why in our awesome organic farming community I don't hear of anyone using it (I will ask the farmers, too, but just recently learned about DE and haven't yet)? It seems to me there are some really fantastic possibilities there, especially when applied for balancing out a particular invasion. Also, from what I've read, when DE is used for bug control, it needs to be dry to be effective so reapplying can be necessary after rain, etc. If we have to use it dry for pests but wet for humans and animals -- does it works both ways then? Thank you for any input you can offer; it is much appreciated.