Difference btwn. food grade and 'normal' DE???

[speckledhen]

Does it have a percentage for the silicon part of it? If it says 85% rather than maybe 1%, then it's pool filter grade/garden insecticide type DE. I pay $25 for 50# of Food Chemical Codex Grade DE, sometimes called Fossil Shell Flour. Here is a pic of it:

 

[georgialee]

Thank you so much! That's exactly the info I needed. Yes, it says 85% silicon so I will have DH return it. Now I have to try to find someone that sells it locally... doesn't seem very well known here.

 

[clucky2]

Another option I recently discovered is oyster shell powder. It's used for the same purposes as DE. I just raked in a thin layer in the run and so far works beautifully for drying up the poops.
And no need to wear a dust mask when you apply!
Our feed store has it.....can't remember the price other than being cheap cheap cheap

 

[speckledhen]

The difference is that oyster shell powder does not kill bugs so cannot be used in nests or on the birds to kill lice/mites.