Can DE be composted?

[cochicks]

I'm still new to all of this, so please forgive me if this question is novice. I'm using the DLM in my 6 x 5 coop. I'm using a combination of straw and pine shavings. I have been adding DE to the mixture because I've read on several forums that it helps keep things dry and bug free. I'm wondering though, does this mean that the bedding and valuable chicken poop will not be any good for composting? For composting to occur, don't you need bugs and worms and what not? If I've already added DE, is there any way to compost the bedding when I clean out the coop this spring?

Thanks for the help. I'm new to chickens, composting, and gardening. (We just bought our house at the end of last summer...)

 

[bluebird]

I do the DLM and use DE too and also dump the litter in our compost pile. I've used the compost for flowers and in the garden. I think a lot of the DE probably gets washed away by the snow and/or rain so not too harmfull to good bugs and worms. Good question tho.

 

[al6517]

Sure !!! there is no problem with that, I do it.

AL

 

[cochicks]

Thank you!

 

[Pharm Girl]

One woman on BYC said she actually eats it herself! I couldn't believe it, but I guess if she's still alive and kickin' it would be OK if it was composted, put back into a garden and so forth...

 

[clairabean]

There is food grade DE. It is taken for internal parasites.

Compost away.

 

[HHandbasket]

I have used DE in my garden and in my henhouse very effectively for a while now, and it is completely safe if you purchase food-grade DE at your local feed store. It's one of the safest things you can use.

The DE sold at Home Depot is swimming pool grade, not food grade, and should never be used in your yard, garden, or coop.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

There is food grade DE. It is taken for internal parasites.

People take it, but it's never been proven to have any effect on internal parasites.

It's basically sand​

 

[gryeyes]

Food grade DE also "deactivates" when it gets wet, so the natural addition of water/moisture in a compost heap/pile/composter will break it down. When I say "gets wet" I mean major wet, not the minor moisture in chicken poop.

 

[Mervin]

Quote:
It's also used as an anti-caking agent in animal feed and is USDA approved as a feed supplement.