SeramaSilly Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Does anyone have the same problem as me? If I apply dry diatom then I get it all down my front and feet and all over the floor. If I use it wet - again I get it all over the floor, on my face and in my hair!!! Now I know I am a very clumsy person but is there any way to apply it without the mess or is it me (which I suspect it is! ) Sophie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 I have decanted some into an old plastic talc container. I aim it at the ends of the bars and "puff". Not 100% aim wise but not bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 It is tricky isn't it I put a small amount of Diatom into a shallow conainer first. Stand the the roosting bars on their end. Take a pinch of diatom and quickly transfer it to the end of one of the bars and rub it in I have a mark 1 Eglu so some of the bars are single. I can just dip the ends into the Diatom and rub in. The tricky part is the bars which are joined together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 It's tricky, but my method is: Start with damp roosting bars, pour some Diatom into the palm of your (gloved) hand and squidge the ends of the roosting bars into it so that it packs on a bit like polyfilla - it dries quickly and sort of sets onto the ends of the bars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 How about spreading some out into an old roasting tin - that way the ends of the bars can be "dipped" in at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 That idea occured to me once, but I'd forgotten it by the next time they needed doing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 I only just thought of it havent done it myself yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 I have tried somtheing similar using a rectanglular washing up bowl. However I found on my joined up roosting bars the piece of wood that holds the bars together sticks out more than the ends of the bars, so the diatom did not reach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 I pour into a tray, pinch it between my fingers into a paste, press thick bits on the end, and throw it all over myself and the the ground Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Is that the 'Elegant Technique' then Choccy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheilaz Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 I wear rubber gloves and put some dry Diatom into my palm and rub the powder across the ends, whilst holding it over a try of Auboise or sawdust. The latter can then be put in the nesting box, and I smooth the bar ends & any missed bits with fingers. Single bars can be dipped straight into the powder tub. The dry powder rubs well into the crevices, I wouldn't make a paste, Diatom is only effective in it's dry form. I find this method very easy & effective, but yes, somehow it still gets on jumpers & trousers, it's not just you! Choccy, I thought you said "put it all over & then throw myself to the ground". Desperate measures! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 Is Diatom only available from Omlet? - havn't seen it anywhere else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chocchick Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 No wonder the chickens look at me funny, after reading this thread. I wear rubber gloves and put some dry Diatom into my palm and rub the powder across the ends, whilst holding it over a try of Auboise or sawdust. The latter can then be put in the nesting box, and I smooth the bar ends & any missed bits with fingers. Single bars can be dipped straight into the powder tub. The dry powder rubs well into the crevices, I wouldn't make a paste, Diatom is only effective in it's dry form.I find this method very easy & effective, but yes, somehow it still gets on jumpers & trousers, it's not just you! Choccy, I thought you said "put it all over & then throw myself to the ground". Desperate measures! I suppose I could try that. avoiding chickens I think it's more the "elephant" technique than "elegant" ClareT. I have a "chicken" fleece and waterproof trousers for cleaning out the chickens so go out well protected, if warm. Other places do sell diatom (I can't remember ) Omlet only started selling recently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 I wear rubber gloves and put some dry Diatom into my palm and rub the powder across the ends, whilst holding it over a tray of Auboise or sawdust. The latter can then be put in the nesting box, and I smooth the bar ends & any missed bits with fingers. I like the tray of Aubiose idea Sheila! If I leave the poo tray out I can diatom over that. Brilliant! I hold the ends of the bars over the tub of diatom and then scoop it up with a gloved hand and apply it to the ends. The theory is that the left-over diatom falls back into the tub. Not sure how well it works but it's not too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 19, 2006 Share Posted October 19, 2006 That's more or less what I do Ginette. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted October 19, 2006 Author Share Posted October 19, 2006 Thanks for the great tips - I will give them a try! Last night I visited a friend and when I got back OH said what's that patch of white on your face - you've guessed it - Diatom! And my friend never said a word! Sophie x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura & CTB Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Is Diatom only available from Omlet? - havn't seen it anywhere else. i got mine here www.sprcentre.co.uk click on Eradicate & Poultry Shield - Diatom is on the same page at the bottom. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Thanks Laura, I'll have a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted October 20, 2006 Share Posted October 20, 2006 Thanks for the great tips - I will give them a try! Last night I visited a friend and when I got back OH said what's that patch of white on your face - you've guessed it - Diatom! And my friend never said a word! Sophie x You could start a new trend Sophie! Aren't men rotten? The chaps at work never point out when I have cat fluff or a feather stuck to me. I think they're getting their own back for me bullying them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeramaSilly Posted October 20, 2006 Author Share Posted October 20, 2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
