Can anyone explain DE and what I should be using it for?

[carrlr]

I use it regular. My first year without it I had a major fly problem probably from being attracted to the droppings. So, I started the Deep Litter Method with DE. Yes, it does kill bugs by dehydration, but it's more than that for me. It keeps my coop dry and practically free of odor. I just sprinkle it on top when adding pine shavings and also in between. The chickens work it in and I'm sure they digest some. I only clean my coop in the Spring and Fall, when prior to DE I was having to do it monthly for my 12 girls and their roo. So, with all the information I've read on it, I think it's keeping my flock free from worms, mite and lice as a preventative. The food grade DE I use is sold in the garden section of my farm supply store and is a light gray color.

 

[todtrac]

Quote:
Really appreciate the feedback. This is my first year with chickens so I am going to use the deep litter method with DE

 

[windtryst]

I use it in the coop, dust my chickens with it, my dog eats it and I eat it. Food grade from St. Gabriels Organics,available at Gardners Nursery in Chester County, Pa.

 

[grandmaof5]

I even add it to my dogs' food, and put it in my budgie's food once a week, as well as in the chicken feed and shavings...*


*I'd try to sneak it into DH's food if I thought he wouldn't notice.

 

[Chris09]

This was posted on another thread about Diatomaceous Earth (DE)

DE, Diatomacious Earth, supposedly has anti-parasitic properties. However, the scientific community has yet to elucidate responses when evaluated in controlled studies.

Chris

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

DE contains the following: Calcium, Magnesium, sodium, potasium, copper, zinc, iron, phosphorus, and selenium

.

Nope.
Most of those things are contaminants IN the DE.

The typical chemical composition of oven dried diatomaceous earth is 80 to 90% silica, with 2 to 4% alumina (attributed mostly to clay minerals) and 0.5 to 2% iron oxide.

You can repeat all the sales pitches from many sites that want to sell you some, and you can give all the hearsay evidence you want, but reality is there is NO scientific proof that DE does anything other than kill insects and absorb moisture​

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

I use food grade DE both in the food and in the bedding for all my animals, dogs, chickens. guineas. My boxer got worms all the time before I started using DE she has not had them since. It may not work the same for everyone else but for me it works great. I would never use the pool kind for my livestock.

 

[Yay Chicks!]

An earlier post asked about the color. What you want (or what I believe most people use), should you choose to use it, has the brand name PermaGuard. It will say Food Grade on the front. It is usually sold in 50lb bags. That is the most economical way to purchase it, although you can find it online in smaller quantities. It is pure white.
I haven't fed it to my chickens, although they do peck at it when I dust the coop with it. When I clean the coop I dust with it. I always dust the roosts, the poop board and the nest boxes with it. And, I mix it into the pine shavings in between cleanings to dry things out.
A lot of people add it to dust baths as well.
Anyway, that's my experience.

 

[BunnyMomma]

Hi, I have used it successfully for 10 years. I use it in my barn, my chicken coop, inside the dog houses, around the base of my house inside and out. My chickens have never have mites, ticks, or other crawling, biting, insects around or on them. I usually replace it every spring when I clean up everything. I also use boric acid powder along with the DE. The only bugs I ever see around are mosquitos, which I despise, and spiders which I tolerate.
Hope this helps.

Bunny
Just a note, I have a 19 year old dog, a 14 year old dog and a 7 year old dog. All adopted from the local shelter. Dogs don't usually get as old as the 1st one. I think using DE has helped to keep them healthy. I also have a 10 year old silver seabright hen, that thinks she is a dog!

 

[dawg53]

Gosh....since DE is the cure all for everything....this country doesnt need a health care plan at all. The government should issue everyone a big sack of DE to every citizen. I have seen all the cures that DE performs in this forum...from arthritis, cancer, broken bones, to eliminating worms. If this is the case...why isnt it sold everywhere? Seems to me there's big money to be made by the pharmaceuticals, drug companies, walmarts, home depots etc...the federal government? All the testing by doctors and scientists that you see in those DE ads/sales, are paid compensationwise for favorable analysis. There are people on here who promote DE by word of mouth and have NEVER even used it! DE is misrepresented and sold as a miracle product and the 8th wonder of the world. It is deception by its producers...kinda like a certain Japanese automaker claims...up til about 2 years ago...and Americans were deceived into believing they were the best vehicles on the road and continued to buy them, hahaha! Bear Foot Farm is correct. DE is good for what he states it is used for. Take it from someone who was suckered into believing what the companies said DE would do, and it failed miserably...especially my wallet and unfortunately, my chickens. Yep, I found out, like many others in this forum who are finally seeing how DE has failed them. I learned this many many years ago the hard way. Just a word to the wise and save yourselves money and heartache. Good luck.