DE Product

[lmdengler]

Can someone tell me what DE exactly is? My husband bought a bag of what he said is DE from Lowes . It is a white bag that says insect killer and that it contains DE. Is this the right stuff? And how do you recommend using it?

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Does it say what the other 15% is?

DE is the collected "skeletons" of diatoms.

 

[Ole rooster]

I use the dichotomous earth on just about everything that has to do with the chickens. When I bought a bag of feed that had weevil. Sprinkled DE over the feed and out they came. It took a while but I smushed all of them. No more weevils.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If you are going to use DE for your chickens, you need to use FOOD GRADE. It appears what you have purchased has other ingredients and is for use in the garden only.

Do some research/reading to determine if it's a product you want to use. There are quite a few heated debates on using - look for threads here on BYC and the web.
If after careful reading you feel like it's something for you - then find the proper product - most feed stores carry DE, but look for labeling that tells you it's FOOD GRADE and usually it will also have dosage/feeding instructions on the bag/container as well.
https://www.amazon.com/Diatomaceous-Earth-Food-Grade-10/dp/B00025H2PY

 

[tigger19687]

The stuff he bought has a PESTICIDE in it ! Take it back.
I made that same mistake !

I bought Food Grade on Amazon for like $12 but I think someone said somewhere that Feed stores carry a big 50# bag for cheap and it is 100% DE.
For me that is not around here that I can find. But maybe in Upstate NY you can get it

 

[chicks are life]

Don't buy de...killed one of my birds.

Get permethrin kills mites and lice instantly!
De just moves the mites.

Chickens have sensitive lungs and get respiratory illnesses easily

 

[lmdengler]

Thank you everyone! I'm glad I posted the question. I had a bad feeling when I saw it. I went online and found some and I'm going to check TS myself.

 

[Folly's place]

De is bad for everyone, including your birds, to inhale. It's mined out of the earth (see pictures!) and bad for those miners. AND it's about useless for treating parasites on your birds. It will kill grain mites in dry feed, but buying and feeding fresh is a better idea anyway. Mary

 

[lmdengler]

I am so confused ! My conworker gave me full instructions on using it and what to do. And after reading your post now I'm worried about it. The last thing I want to do is give any of them a problem. After all I have gone through with Daisy if something like DE made her sick I'd never forgive myself

 

[lmdengler]

So what is permethrin (as posted by Chicks are Life? What should I do for parasites: mites lice and worms?