diatomaceous earth

[chickbird]

Quote:
EVEN THE FOOD GRADE IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR LUNGS OR AN ANIMALS LUNGS.

 

[nettie]

Duck_feeder and I have a $1600 bill to prove it!!! Our little norie inhales it and it just irritates her poor little air sacs. I should see if my vet will let me get copies of the x-rays. Or let me take pictures of them or something. Even the food grade can harm animals prone to lung issues, or even healthy animals for no apparent reason... It is very very sharp tiny teeny weeny little particles that can irritate the lungs if inhaled.

For ducks, we are planning on feeding them the DE in their wet food (like mixed with cottage cheese or with water/brine shrimp, yogurt, or cooked into scrambled eggs) so they can eat it, and it will still have the same effect in their poop. Their poop will contain the silica that kills fly larva. It doesn't necessarily needs to be in the bedding for it to work.

 

[GracefulBantams]

That's a good idea!
But I'm sorry about what you had to go through before

 

[ejctm]

I haven't had any problem using DE before with either my chickens or ducks.

DE is not a chemical, it is finely crushed up dried sea creatures.

I think you have to balance risks. I know that driving my car is statistically very dangerous, yet I have to balance this risk with the need to travel. The risk of red mites, intestinal worms and other nasties infecting my birds is greater than any small risk of DE, which if used carefully is not a worry in my opinion. I take on board any advice or experiences of other bird keepers, and we are all still learning new information. I am not too worried about DE though.

 

[CamsCluckinChicks]

I use only food grade DE for my chickens & ducks. I have been using it for over a year & never had a problem. I sprinkle it under their bedding & in the bottom of their nest boxes, again under the bedding. I also mix it with their feed (about . We have never had any problems with mites, lice, etc. Nor have I ever had any health problems related to using the DE...with any of my birds, dogs, humans, etc. I do sprinkle it (sparingly) wherever the bird feces tend to gather overnight (like on top of & under their roosts). I had a hatching of 6 chicks this summer & they have been exposed to it without any ramifications. I have also used DE directly on my birds without any adverse reactions. We received a rooster who was infested with poultry lice/mites. After 2 'baths' in (food grade) DE, no more bugs. We eventually rehomed him due to his size...he was really damaging some of my hens!! However, we had him for a year & never witnessed any issues.

My dogs get it mixed with their feed as well. We haven't had any fleas for over a year while everyone around is having a horrible flea problem. It also prevents ticks & internal parasites.

I also have used it in my coop where my chickens/ducks do not go - my part of the coop. LOL! I have found numerous dead wasps & flies. It dehydrates insects. Hence, we use it in our garden also.

I have to order it online - shipping is ridiculous. However, the only type of DE readily available locally is non-food grade. All 3 feedmills I have been to say their dealer can't get it. So. I pay a fortune to have it shipped. I also buy at least 50 pounds at a time. I use 1/2 cup per 50# of feed - both in my birds feed & dog food. Some people say to use a pound per 50 pounds, but I have found 1/2 cup works fantastic.

Having said all that, I have asthma. I always wear a 'medical' mask when cleaning coops as the dust/dander has been known to cause asthma attacks. Blech.

I would say food grade DE is safe... But, as with all things, there are precautions that must be taken. It really is a very fine powder & I can see how it could possibly cause serious problems in birds. Their little air sacs are SO very different from mammal's lungs.

I will continue to use it as it has helped tremendously in our home. But, each person has to decide for themselves where that balance is. Oh - and I have 6 German Shorthaired Pointer's, 43 chickens, 3 Pekin ducks, 1 amazing husband & 1 teenager (God help me!). LOL!

 

[HiddenHill Heretic]

D.E. is incredibly effective, yet, as with many panacea, also has a flip side. I have a friend who uses it and loves it, but has been experiencing lung issues. I reccomend use of a mask or rebreather when spreading. Nothing is without some unseen ramifications.