DE and Sevens danger to us why not hens?

[snowflake]

DE and sevens you are told to wear a mask and rubber gloves. If the DE is bad for our lungs why is it safe for the hens and other pets as far as that goes. the same for the Sevens? If they are dusting them selfs it will get into their lungs, right?

 

[Msbear]

I think that it's a matter of which is worse.. a bit of DE or 7 in their lungs or bloodsucking parasites sucking the life from them.

 

[Penturner]

Here is the littel bit I know about it but not necessarily all the reasons. The problem with DE is an accumulative thing. even though the chickens breath it they will never live long enough to suffer many effects of it. A parson working with it for over say a 30 year period will have serious respiratory problems develop do to the very fine dust getting deep into their lungs. I am not certain about the Seven but i also think it is an accumulated exposure thing. Not everything that gets into your system leaves it and it will build to levels that are harmful. again chickens will not live long enough even if they live a long full life and die of old age.

 

[sevenchickens]

DE isn't toxic to people if they eat it. You just don't want to inhale it....

 

[natrgatr]

It's also a CYA thing. In California , since they passed that proposition about requiring a warning label on ANYTHING that might, in some way, cause you harm, I saw a warning label on an aluminum ladder that said not to lean it against a powerline......hmmmm...really?

 

[littlethorn]

Quote:
^ It's this. I have noticed even bags of sand at Home Depot lately have a warning that says sand contains silica.

 

[snowflake]

OK! thank you all, I think you are most likely right on. don't put plastic bags over your head,it could be harmful and which is worse, bugs or sevens, I definitely do not like bugs! So DE and Sevens is worth the try. No bugs yet, but it is good to be ready. Thanks again