If it does not say CODEX FOOD GRADE on the packaging it's because it's NOT food grade.
Safe around pets is not the same as safe to eat. There are plenty of things that are safe to put on your skin that will poison you if you eat it. So it depends on your chosen use. If you feel comfortable with it, go ahead and use what you have in your coop bedding and such...but if you decide to try feeding it to the chickens as part of their diet, please only use codex food grade.
As far as keeping flies out of the compost...I prefer to cover with a good layer (2-4inches) of shavings or dry grass clippings. When adding new items to the compost, I dig down past the top layer and recover. A little extra effort goes a long way. This method also tends to keep the temperature of my compost nice and warm. I also will use a good layer of the shavings from the coop about 2x per year. It get's nice and steamy when I do that...as it should.
Remember, don't put meat or bones in your compost, unless you have a very HOT compost.
I prefer not to put DE in my compost as it kills not only flies, but all the beneficial insects that help breakdown your compost as well. I also have chosen not to use it in my garden as it kills the bees that come in contact with it.
I do use FOOD GRADE DE in my chickens dusting areas, nest boxes, coop, and feed.
Good luck
Sandra
Safe around pets is not the same as safe to eat. There are plenty of things that are safe to put on your skin that will poison you if you eat it. So it depends on your chosen use. If you feel comfortable with it, go ahead and use what you have in your coop bedding and such...but if you decide to try feeding it to the chickens as part of their diet, please only use codex food grade.
As far as keeping flies out of the compost...I prefer to cover with a good layer (2-4inches) of shavings or dry grass clippings. When adding new items to the compost, I dig down past the top layer and recover. A little extra effort goes a long way. This method also tends to keep the temperature of my compost nice and warm. I also will use a good layer of the shavings from the coop about 2x per year. It get's nice and steamy when I do that...as it should.
Remember, don't put meat or bones in your compost, unless you have a very HOT compost.
I prefer not to put DE in my compost as it kills not only flies, but all the beneficial insects that help breakdown your compost as well. I also have chosen not to use it in my garden as it kills the bees that come in contact with it.
I do use FOOD GRADE DE in my chickens dusting areas, nest boxes, coop, and feed.
Good luck
Sandra