Cat Litter as a DE source

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ekrem

ekrem

Chirping
10 Years
May 13, 2012
21
0
80
Bursa, Turkey
Hello,

I was looking to buy DE from local feed store and online stores with no luck. Amazon and other international stores do not send DE to Turkey.

But last weekend I saw a cat litter which says "Diatomite" on its label. So I wonder if it is safe to use with in my coop and brooder?

It says "Non-Toxic (Safe if digested)" on the bag.

I took pictures:





 
In my opinion id say no way...the birds will think its some sort of food source and eat it! Like grit..even though it says its safe to eat...now I looked it up and your kitty litter is a clumped virsion of DE can you pulvarize it to make it to its powdered form? And I would not use it in a brooder for young chicks..Id wait a few weeks until they know their real food. I use it in my coops but never straight for dust bathing box...I tried once and they were covered head to toe and it was so dusty in their coops...crusted in nostrils...sneezing etc....
 
Last edited:
I should add when I do use it...its after i have cleaned their flooring..layer the floor with DE then shavings..on roosting poles..bottom of nesting boxes etc...its always mixed with stuff
 
If it's clumped version of DE I probably can, but I suspect it to be just normal sand covered with DE powder. I didn't open the bag yet. I will try to pulverize it when I got home after work.

Besides, I will take your advice and will not use it until my chicks get a few weeks old. They are still one week old. And they are not making that much bad odor anyway.

Thanks for the advices.
 
You can buy DE at a pool store. Our local store has 25 and 50 pound bags.
Its a fine powder. Good for Flea control in the yard or carpet, I've been told.
I think my 25 pound bag was around $20. not sure bought other stuff with it.
 
Diatomaceous earth should be labeled as being food grade, if you want to use it for chickens. Diatomaceous earth for pools is treated and poisonous if consumed.

Chris
 
DO NOT BUY DE FROM A POOL STORE !!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY WOULD YOU SUGGEST THAT? IT'S CHEMICAL/POOL GRADE, NOT FOOD GRADE !!! This is DEADLY DE!!! Order FOOD GRADE. Someone will ship to you. Try Wolfcreekranch.com
 
I have tried and it pulverizes. It is sand mixed with clumped DE. But despite the label says it's non-toxic I'm not willing to take the chance. I will not use this cat litter. Also I've read a lot to not take an advice that say to buy DE from a pool store (if they do not sell food grade DE that is :)

On the other hand I have found local online seller for zeolite (Sweet PDZ), I guess I can use this in my coop when my chicks are old enough.
 

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