Elite Diatomaceous Earth 10kg: Poultry Food Grade DE for Chickens, Coops and Cages

Diatomaceous Earth for Chickens, Poultry and Pigeons

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural mineral made from the fossilised skeletons of diatoms, tiny single-celled algae. Elite Diatomaceous Earth is a 100% natural, poultry food grade DE made in Australia for use with chickens, ducks, pigeons and other cage and aviary birds. It's sprinkled inside and around cages, coops and layer boxes, and through litter and dust baths, where it absorbs moisture and helps keep bird areas dry and clean.

How Does Diatomaceous Earth Work?

Diatomaceous earth works physically, not chemically. Under a microscope, each particle is a sharp, porous fragment of silica. When crawling insects such as mites, lice, ants and cockroaches move through it, the particles scratch their waxy outer coating and absorb the oils and moisture underneath, so the insects dry out.

Two things follow from this. DE only works while it's dry, so damp or wet DE has little effect. And it works slowly, over a few days, rather than as a quick knockdown like a chemical spray.

Using DE in Coops, Cages and Dust Baths

For poultry keepers, diatomaceous earth is one of the most useful things to keep on hand. Its absorbent particles soak up moisture in litter and nest boxes, which helps reduce odour and keeps bedding drier. Many keepers also mix it into dust-bathing spots so birds work it through their feathers while they bathe, which is a common way of helping manage mites and lice. Elite's label notes it helps improve feather and body condition.

Diatomaceous Earth Uses Around the Home and Garden

Beyond the coop, diatomaceous earth is widely used as a natural option against crawling insects:

• Ants and cockroaches: sprinkled along trails, entry points, cracks and behind appliances
• Fleas: worked lightly into pet bedding and the areas pets sleep, then vacuumed after a few days
• Garden pests: spread as a dry barrier around plants affected by crawling insects, slugs and snails

It won't control flying insects, and it's best used as part of a wider plan for large infestations, alongside cleaning and removing food sources.

Food Grade vs Pool Grade Diatomaceous Earth

Not all DE is the same. Natural, uncalcined diatomaceous earth like this one is the type used around poultry, pets and the home. Pool-filter DE is calcined, or heat-treated, which changes the silica structure and makes it unsuitable for use around animals. Always check you're buying natural, food grade DE for coops, cages and pest control around the home.