DE question

[FarmerCluck]

I am new to raising chickens (actually I don't even have them yet........my babies should be arriving in about 2 weeks). I would like to use the deep litter method and have read a lot about using DE sprinkled on the litter. However, I'm having a hard time tracking it down locally. My local feed store has something (I haven't seen it yet, I just called and asked) that they say is DE, but the man said it is also called "oil dry". He says that it is kind of granular and that people use it for cat litter. This didn't sound to me like what you all have been talking about when you refer to food-grade DE. Any help you have would be appreciate. Are there any brand names or other names that this product might be called? I called 5 farm stores in our area and only one had any idea what I was talking about.

 

[mener6896]

I tried to find it locally too, but had to order it online. It is quite expensive (especially with shipping) but I'm taking it too once I read about the health benefits.

Here is where I ordered from. www.EarthWorksHealth.com

 

[annek]

I don't know about oil dry (make sure it is safe for chicks to eat) but you can use things like stall dry that TSC carries that has de in it or you can use sweet pdz that I use that is perfectly safe for chickens to eat. This is used to keep horse stalls dry and keep the ammonia down and it works great. So if you can't find DE you can use the other stuff. It is cheap about 15.00 for 40 lbs. of Sweet pdz.

 

[codybird]

Most of the "oil dry" stuff is ground up clay. Not DE.

 

[tink]

Check out custommilling.com. You will have to call them to get a price with shipping. Works great!! I have 35 chickens and no fly issues or smell. Their number is 1-877-348-3048
Tink

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

No the oil dry stuff is the wrong stuff...I believe some even call the correct DE Fossil Flour. And it should be a VERY fine pure white powder. I got mine here at http: http://www.custommilling.com/ it has lasted me a year now

It's WELL worth getting it shipped because then you KNOW without a doubt that you got the right stuff. It's so hard to find. And be sure never to get any from the pool store, that is also the wrong stuff. OH and a 50# bag was 50 bucks (including shipping) which isn't bad considering all the other places I have searched. This was the cheapest place I have found so far. And hubby spent a good amount of time online searching

 

[CityChook]

Where do you live?

I bought mine at a neighborhood pet food store. He had to special order from a holistic animal products vendor (and it was spendy) but it only took a couple days and it lasts a long time. Also, if you can find Stall Dry at your local feed/farm store, that will work as well. It's not necessary to have DE with your deep litter, just a benefit. If you can't find it, or don't want to pay the shipping to order it online, don't sweat it.

Oh, and

from MN!

 

[mstricer]

Ask for it at your local feed grain store. We have what we call the equity stores that sell feed
if they dont have it they should be able to order it. They didn't know what I was talking about at first. call it by its full name and then they know. (Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth) I love this stuff it keeps the coop dry even if the humitity is high or its been raining alot.