Feeding Diatomaceous Earth

[Belinger]

Hi i live in the united Kingdom and American measurements are different. I have just purchased a 25kg bag of Diatomaceeous Earth from Amazon, I buy Layer pellets in 20 kg sacks. how much should i sprinkle on chicken feed and is this everyday. I don't want to mix it in the sack of layer pellets but want to keep sepprate. also how much to give my dog and cat and is this on a daily basis please help i will not use till i get answers Regards Belinger

 

[Judy]

Not sure why you are doing this. It will control pests in the feed while it is stored, and help keep it dry. You only need a small quantity, I think people use a 30 ml cup in a few pounds, but it is harmless enough, if you purchased food grade. If you purchased the kind used in pool filters, don't use it around animals.

 

[moetrout]

Hi i live in the united Kingdom and American measurements are different. I have just purchased a 25kg bag of Diatomaceeous Earth from Amazon, I buy Layer pellets in 20 kg sacks. how much should i sprinkle on chicken feed and is this everyday. I don't want to mix it in the sack of layer pellets but want to keep sepprate. also how much to give my dog and cat and is this on a daily basis please help i will not use till i get answers Regards Belinger

Please, please, please, make sure it is food grade DE. That is the only kind you should be using around chickens. I don't feed DE to mine, I use it for insect control in the bedding.

 

[Belinger]

hi yes it is DE Food

 

[joralicea]

I was told that DE was bad for respiratory in chickens but you can put it in there food as a natural wormer.

 

[BillM2]

DE controls parasites internally and kills ticks and lice when used in bedding. If you use in bedding, some of that will be ingested by your birds as it gets airborne and into food and water. You want a light dusting in the bedding for pests, a sprinkling on the floor. Wear a dust mask when cleaning up as the dust kicks up. Years ago people used to mix some DE into a beverage and drink it to control parasites. Food grade, of course.

 

[joralicea]

DE controls parasites internally and kills ticks and lice when used in bedding. If you use in bedding, some of that will be ingested by your birds as it gets airborne and into food and water. You want a light dusting in the bedding for pests, a sprinkling on the floor. Wear a dust mask when cleaning up as the dust kicks up. Years ago people used to mix some DE into a beverage and drink it to control parasites. Food grade, of course.

Is the food grade white? They sell a different one at the natural store than they do at the feed store. Which should I use?

 

[DaveOmak]

Use food grade only.... From what I have read, some say it controls worms etc. when fed to chickens.... others say it does no good.... Some say they add 1% to the feed (by weight I would assume)... others say they add it only every 4 months or so to the feed for 3-4 days in a row.... take your pick....

 

[CluckyChook]

These links might be helpful, they seem to think 2 - 5 % added to feed.

http://www.absorbentproductsltd.com/diatomaceous-earth-and-chickens.html
http://poultrykeeper.com/health-suppliments/diatomaceous-earth
http://diatomaceousearthonline.com.au/

I use it in bedding also and currently I am getting really good results clearing leg mites from a very crusty old hen. It's an awesome alternative to chemicals and works just as well if you ask me.

 

[BillM2]

Go to your feed store and ask the store's manager you want the food grade DE. It should state so on the bag. My natural feed store sells it by the pound from bins and it is white. I use that on our bunnies. The feed store (Tractor Supply) sells the food grade but it is grey in color.

If you're planning on ingesting it for your own parasite control, consult with a physician.