DE Poll - Do you use it? For how long have you used it?

[chickensforever]

I wouldn't put any in the coop or yard. If chickens breathe it in, they get worse affects then people do, including permanently scratched throats and asthma. DE is basically a bunch of tiny, sharp skeletons and no respiratory system should have to deal with that! A friend of mine lines the outside of her yard with a little bit of it though and it seems to help.

 

[speckledhen]

I've used it for three years now. Food grade DE isn't the same as pool grade--that's the stuff you really don't want to inhale, but heck, you do not want a snootful of flour, either. I have seen no ill effects at all plus I've never had a lice or mite problem in the flock, except for the rooster I bought and he already had them. We used DE on him and that did the trick.

 

[consdrs]

Quote:
I used DE last year when I first got chickens. by August I was having bad asthma problems, I have never had asthma before... I always wore a dust mask and used it sparingly. I stopped using it when I went to the Dr. and she gave me an inhaler. she asked all kinds of questions about different things that are going on at my home. Chickens were the only "difference" . I stopped using the DE and haven't had one problem since. I never use the inhaler any more where as I was using it 2 times a night every night. my Dr said she may want to put me on steroids! it was that bad.
I'm an avid gardener and had all kinds of grandiose plans for using it and got a 50 lb bag at the feed store for 19.00. now I won't go near it. IDK I kinda like sleeping and breathing at the same time.

I am completely convinced it was the DE.

YMMV

 

[speckledhen]

Are you certain this was food grade? I've never seen food grade DE at any feedstore here, but I have seen the regular type everywhere. You could be extra sensitive to it-not saying it wasn't the food grade, but I've never had issues with it and neither has anyone in the family. If there are clouds and clouds of it in the air, certainly anyone could react to it.

 

[ozark hen]

I would agree with Speckled Hen, and doubt it was FOOD GRADE. It could have been but I doubt it since you had that kind of reaction to it.
I love the idea of making a white wash out of it. It is one of those ..why didn't I think of that?

 

[consdrs]

Sorry, says food grade right on the front of the bag. some people I'm sure are more sensitive than others. unfortunately I'm one of those.

 

[mrsgibber]

I'm thinking it can't hurt to try. Probably just a little in the pine shavings. Sounds like the majority have found it works without ill effects.

 

[speckledhen]

Quote:
Well, I'm glad you found out that this was your problem. Asthma is no fun at all!

 

[chickie momma di]

good morning everyone.

the site i was trying to tell you about is wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com
lots of info to help you decide for yourself.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

I joined the DE crowd a few month ago when I found out my local feed store has it. I put it down in the barn everywhere in two week intervals.

No ill effects so far except I do wear a cheap face mask when I put it down.

I have yet to put it in the feed cause i presume it is getting consumed by the flock as I put scratch down on the dirt floor every morning.

Many in the flock really do prefer the food on the ground rather than in the feeder. Usually these are the guys that are in free range for the entire day. I do have about a third of the flock that stays in the barn and rarely ventures outside.