diatomaceous earth

[buddy18]

Hi, I have been taking diatomacous earth, start with a tsp add to water or food. I want to start giving it to my chickens for the same health benefits. Does anyone know how much to add to 2 cups of chicken feed?

 

[Kiki]

Hi, I have been taking diatomacous earth, start with a tsp add to water or food. I want to start giving it to my chickens for the same health benefits. Does anyone know how much to add to 2 cups of chicken feed?

What health benefits?

 

[Kiki]

Also...What brand name feed to you use?

 

[buddy18]

Also...What brand name feed to you use?

For humans just and this is just a few benefits:

• Cleanse the digestive tract.
• Support healthy digestion.
• Improve cholesterol and heart health.
• Provide the body with trace minerals.
• Improve bone health.
• Promote hair growth.
• Promote skin health and strong nails.

For Chickens or any animal: The effectiveness of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a treatment against parasites and to increase feed efficiency and egg production of organically raised free-range layer hens was evaluated in 2 breeds of commercial egg layers [Bovan Brown (BB) and Lowmann Brown (LB)] that differ in their resistance to internal parasitic infections. Half the hens of each breed were fed diets supplemented with DE (2%). Their internal parasite loads were assessed by biweekly fecal egg counts (FEC) and by postmortem examination of the gastrointestinal tract. Supplementing DE in diets of LB hens, the more parasite-resistant breed, did not significantly affect their FEC and adult parasite load. However, BB hens treated with dietary DE had significantly lower Capillaria FEC, slightly lower Eimeria FEC, fewer birds infected with Heterakis, and significantly lower Heterakis worm burden than control BB hens. Both BB and LB hens fed the diet containing DE were significantly heavier, laid more eggs, and consumed more feed than hens fed the control diet, but feed efficiency did not differ between the 2 dietary treatments. Additionally, BB hens consuming the DE diet laid larger eggs containing more albumen and yolk than hens consuming the control diet. In a subsequent experiment, the effectiveness of DE to treat a Northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) infestation was tested. Relative to controls, both breeds of hens that were dusted with DE had reduced number of mites. The results of this study indicate the DE has the potential to be an effective treatment to help control parasites and improve production of organically. Use only food grade diatomaceous earth!

 

[buddy18]

For humans just and this is just a few benefits:

• Cleanse the digestive tract.
• Support healthy digestion.
• Improve cholesterol and heart health.
• Provide the body with trace minerals.
• Improve bone health.
• Promote hair growth.
• Promote skin health and strong nails.

For Chickens or any animal: The effectiveness of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a treatment against parasites and to increase feed efficiency and egg production of organically raised free-range layer hens was evaluated in 2 breeds of commercial egg layers [Bovan Brown (BB) and Lowmann Brown (LB)] that differ in their resistance to internal parasitic infections. Half the hens of each breed were fed diets supplemented with DE (2%). Their internal parasite loads were assessed by biweekly fecal egg counts (FEC) and by postmortem examination of the gastrointestinal tract. Supplementing DE in diets of LB hens, the more parasite-resistant breed, did not significantly affect their FEC and adult parasite load. However, BB hens treated with dietary DE had significantly lower Capillaria FEC, slightly lower Eimeria FEC, fewer birds infected with Heterakis, and significantly lower Heterakis worm burden than control BB hens. Both BB and LB hens fed the diet containing DE were significantly heavier, laid more eggs, and consumed more feed than hens fed the control diet, but feed efficiency did not differ between the 2 dietary treatments. Additionally, BB hens consuming the DE diet laid larger eggs containing more albumen and yolk than hens consuming the control diet. In a subsequent experiment, the effectiveness of DE to treat a Northern fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) infestation was tested. Relative to controls, both breeds of hens that were dusted with DE had reduced number of mites. The results of this study indicate the DE has the potential to be an effective treatment to help control parasites and improve production of organically. Use only food grade diatomaceous earth!

I use the brand Harris diatomaceouse earth.

 

[Kiki]

I use the brand Harris diatomaceouse earth.

I meant what brand chicken feed do you buy...some feeds have de. It already

 

[Lady of McCamley]

To address your question, in a study that showed DE helped in parasite control and health of the birds studied, a 2% feed supplement was given of DE (Red Lake earth composed of 65% DE and 35% montmorillonite). That, as I read it, means for every 100 parts of feed, 2 parts DE was added.

So obviously it doesn't take much mixed into the feed. Whatever your feed scoop or feeder, allot 2% to DE.

https://academic.oup.com/ps/article/90/7/1416/1543647

Studies are very mixed to actual effectiveness of DE. Some show improvement in birds, others not. Many claims are made by DE companies and health nutritionists that have not necessarily been backed by measured results.

It is important to note that DE has been shown to be irritating to the respiratory tract. Birds have sensitive lungs. For those reasons, I personally do not choose to treat or supplement with DE.

If you do, be sure to get food grade DE which is low in the silica content. Silicosis is from inhalation of DE silica and quite harmful to human and bird lungs.

A number of feeds now include DE, which would be a better choice of supplementation as the free dust would not be present. The DE would be bound into the feed pellet better.

LofMc

 

[buddy18]

Also...What brand name feed to you use?

Hiland Naturals non-gmo layer feed.

 

[imnukensc]

Yeah, well, I'm not going to voluntarily eat dirt and I'm sure my chickens get enough dirt all by themselves when free ranging daily.

 

[AgentJeffy]

Hi, I have been taking diatomacous earth, start with a tsp add to water or food. I want to start giving it to my chickens for the same health benefits. Does anyone know how much to add to 2 cups of chicken feed?

Pertaining to DE for supplemental benefits, there can not be any because there are no minerals in DE aside from the Silica. The only way one would see a nutritional benefit is if they were already infested with intestinal parasites, and the benefit from the DE would be because you are no longer sharing your food with as MANY parasites, however there are far more efficient methods of completely ridding yourself of parasites should that be a concern. And the nutritional label for DE reads as follows and shows clearly that there are no nutrients:

Now!

I do pest control, and can attest to the efficacy of DE, this is because DE is an abrasive. Essentially there are jagged and sharp edges on each microscopic piece of Silica and this controls pets by cutting open their exoskeleton and drying them up from the inside out.

However the mechanical function of DE is debatable inside of a GI tract due to the structure of the DE being compromised by intestinal fluids, however studies have shown that there IS a benefit to using DE in feed, no matter how minute.

DE is favorable to pesticides because of it's minor list of side effects and simplistic use, however as stated by another user, the respiratory systems of chickens are very delicate and DE can actually cause some serious irritation to their breathing.

Consider how horses can develop respiratory infections and complications from hay dust because they stick their face into the feed and force the dust into their nostrils. Chickens are no different, and DE is MUCH more fine of a dust than hay.

To address your question, in a study that showed DE helped in parasite control and health of the birds studied, a 2% feed supplement was given of DE (Red Lake earth composed of 65% DE and 35% montmorillonite). That, as I read it, means for every 100 parts of feed, 2 parts DE was added.

So obviously it doesn't take much mixed into the feed. Whatever your feed scoop or feeder, allot 2% to DE.

https://academic.oup.com/ps/article/90/7/1416/1543647

Studies are very mixed to actual effectiveness of DE. Some show improvement in birds, others not. Many claims are made by DE companies and health nutritionists that have not necessarily been backed by measured results.

It is important to note that DE has been shown to be irritating to the respiratory tract. Birds have sensitive lungs. For those reasons, I personally do not choose to treat or supplement with DE.

If you do, be sure to get food grade DE which is low in the silica content. Silicosis is from inhalation of DE silica and quite harmful to human and bird lungs.

A number of feeds now include DE, which would be a better choice of supplementation as the free dust would not be present. The DE would be bound into the feed pellet better.

LofMc

You are whom I was referencing above.

To add to your information, the main benefits were shown in birds that had very bad parasite issues. And the benefit would be exclusively due to the better absorption of nutrients in their regular feed because they are no longer sharing their food with freeloaders in their guts.