diatamaceous earth, sevin

[maryboland]

Why does diatomaceous earth to be used in the coop have to be food grade? What's wrong with the regular stuff I use in my garden? Also is sevin safe to dust the coop with when birds are in it?

 

[hoppy]

incase your birds eat it??? that would be my guess.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

It is my understanding that pool grade DE has a much higher silica content. Now someone else here on byc explained to me that silica is sand but there are different types of silica. I was scared to death to use Sevin-5 dust on my birds but yes it is safe and I use it all the time with no ill effects. As for DE yes you need to use food grade with the birds. There is some stuff you can get at the feed store called "garden and poultry dust" it comes in a blue and white can and smells just like flea powder for dogs. I have used it as well and all is fine.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

The filter type DE is heat treated, and creates silica crystals that are extremely harmful to breath

"Food grade" DE is NOT heat treated

silica is sand but there are different types of silica

Silica is an element, the most common on Earth, and most sand is comprised of silica.
An "element" is a pure form of matter that can't be broken down into anything else, chemically

Chemically they are identical, but the crystalline forms can vary.​

 

[bwknight877]

there is some good stuff on the Perma-Guard brand DE that I just ordered here, http://www.perma-guard.com/fossilshell.html

 

[crosbygroup]

My feed store only carries feed grade DE. Do you all think that will be ok for the chickens?

 

[ArizonaNessa]

With chickens you should only use food grade DE not the pool grade stuff.