De

[Kriston]

I went to the Southern States today looking for DE and theirs didn't say "food grade" so I didn't buy it, but I did take a photo of the bag with my phone thinking someone would look at it to see if it's okay to use in the coop or not. I just realized I can't post photos on here though. So, my question is... Does the right DE specifically say "food grade" on the bag?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[GreenEggers]

Yes it must say food grade. Search DE here for posts and you will get lots of info. The DE you want is usually labeled fossil shell four and is amorphous silica, DE from fresh water that can be used as an anti cake agent in grains. Not flux calcined DE used only for filtration . Make sure you get the correct one . Check the MSDS if you are unsure. The one I buy is Perma Guard Fossil Shell Flour.

 

[patandchickens]

If it says "less than 1% crystalline silica" or something very very close to that (high amorphous silica content is what you want, and very very LOW crystalline silica content), it is food grade.

If it is sold to be mixed into animal feedstuffs, e.g. Red Lake Earth, it is food grade.

If it is being sold for pest control (garden pesticide, roach control, etc) it is almost certainly NOT food-grade (there may be exceptions, but I do not believe I've personally seen any pesticide-labelled stuff that is also food-grade)

If it is being sold for pool filters, it is for sure NOT food-grade.

It is not like you GOTTA have diatomaceous earth, though. People survive perfectly well without it. If you can't find it, then Oh Well, IMO

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Kriston]

Thanks for the info. I just want to try it in my coop. I have a moisture problem around the waterer, and thought it would help that.

I also like the idea of it for flea control in the yard. I will keep searching locally. I hate the thought of mail ordering anything that weighs 50 lbs... ouch!!!

 

[mlward]

I couldn't find any locally either. I found a 10 lb bag on amazon.com for $11 or 12. Of course, shipping is as much as the product, but I really wanted to try it so... should arrive today or tomorrow. My local farm supply can order me a 50 lb bag, but I thought I'd wait and see how fast I go thru it.

 

[bucky52]

I found mine on ebay,it was six pounds.it was around 18.00 and that included shipping.i put just a little in my shavings and springle alitte in the coop.it dries up the poo.I 'am a new chicken owner,and i had read about de on BYC.thought i would give it a try.I prefer to use natural products.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
It would probably be easier, and certainly cheaper, to just fix the waterer problem directly. Raise it up, fix it so it can't swing or be bumped, put a platform under it (so drips don't go direclty into bedding where they get sopped up), put a pan under it, etc.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat