DE in Chicken Feed

[Ilovemyladies!]

I recently bought a bag of DE to kill the wolf spiders in my barn and my neighbor mentioned that I can add some to their feed to use as a natural de-wormer. So is this true? And also how often should I use it? And is it safe for a 10wk old chick?
*** The DE is Natural Guard Crawling Insect Control***

-Shannon

 

[southerndesert]

I have not seen any study that proves it works for internal parasites though there are claims that it does, but it works well in food to prevent insect infestation and I use it for that at 2% or so per pound of feed. So they (chickens) are eating it as well so if it does help internally all the better

 

[chfite]

The package should state that it is Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth. Anything else should not be consumed.

 

[ChickenAl]

Quote:
Very important point. Food grade DE is the only type you must use in any situation where animals can eat it. They also put DE in feed as a desiccant to keep it from becoming moldy.

 

[christina1982]

The effectiveness of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a treatment against parasites and to increase feed efficiency and egg production of organically raised free-range layer hens was evaluated in 2 breeds of commercial egg layers [Bovan Brown (BB) and Lowmann Brown (LB)] that differ in their resistance to internal parasitic infections. Half the hens of each breed were fed diets supplemented with DE (2%). Their internal parasite loads were assessed by biweekly fecal egg counts (FEC) and by postmortem examination of the gastrointestinal tract. Supplementing DE in diets of LB hens, the more parasite-resistant breed, did not significantly affect their FEC and adult parasite load. However, BB hens treated with dietary DE had significantly lower Capillaria FEC, slightly lower Eimeria FEC, fewer birds infected with Heterakis, and significantly lower Heterakis worm burden than control BB hens. Both BB and LB hens fed the diet containing DE were significantly heavier, laid more eggs, and consumed more feed than hens fed the control diet, but feed efficiency did not differ between the 2 dietary treatments. Additionally, BB hens consuming the DE diet laid larger eggs containing more albumen and yolk than hens consuming the control diet. In a subsequent experiment, the effectiveness of DE to treat a Northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) infestation was tested. Relative to controls, both breeds of hens that were dusted with DE had reduced number of mites. The results of this study indicate the DE has the potential to be an effective treatment to help control parasites and improve production of organically raised, free-range layer hens.





http://ps.fass.org/cgi/content/abstract/90/7/1416


Saw this on another post. Hope it helps!

 

[hcppam]

Quote:
Very important point. Food grade DE is the only type you must use in any situation where animals can eat it. They also put DE in feed as a desiccant to keep it from becoming moldy.

x3

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

I recently bought a bag of DE to kill the wolf spiders in my barn and my neighbor mentioned that I can add some to their feed to use as a natural de-wormer. So is this true?

No, it's not true at all, as many scientific studies have shown

From the post above:

Supplementing DE in diets of LB hens, the more parasite-resistant breed, did not significantly affect their FEC and adult parasite load

It cites the same study posted in this thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=546502&p=1

Here's an earlier one from 2009

Effect of diatomaceous earth on internal parasites of freerange, organic laying hens.
D. C. Bennett*, Y.-J. Rhee, A. Yee, and K.M. Cheng, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
The abstract is presented on page 81 of the 98th Annual Meeting of the Poultry Science Association, July 2009.
link here: http://www.poultryscience.org/psa09/abstracts.pdf

In it they state, "DE had no effect
on the number of hens infected, FEC, or worm burdens.

However, body mass and egg production were greater in hens consuming the DE diets.
These hens also laid larger eggs with thicker shells. The results of this
study suggest that there is no evidence that DE is an effective treatment
to control gastrointestinal parasitic infections of free-range laying hens.

However, DE as a feed ingredient may maintain body mass, increase egg production and improve egg quality in free range laying hens fed an organic diet."​

 

[Ilovemyladies!]

I didn't see Food Grade on their so I best not do it. Thanks for the input!


-Shannon

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Natural Guard Crawling Insect Control

http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/msds/NGCDEMSDS.pdf

Contains Diatomaceous Earth made from Amorphous Diatomaceous Earth Fresh Water Type

(That means food grade)

If you want to add it to feed to KILL BUGS, it's fine.

For internal parasites, it's a waste of money​

 

[chickadiddle]

IF your DE comes from Canada, like mine does, it does not say food grade, BUT it does say you can add it to livestock feed - same thing