Food grade DE dosage?

[foxypoproxy]

Hi guys,
So i just bought some food grade DE from "my pet chicken"
i was wondering what the dosage was because it doesn't really say on the bag.
I don't have alot of birds, around 8 at most. Is there a specific measurement?
All it says is "do not exceed 2% by weight of the total ration"...i have no idea what that means >_> im not a math person.

 

[RoosterRidge]

We use about 1/2 cup to a 5 gallon feeder. Make sure you wear a mask whenever using DE. I also make sure that the chickens are free ranging when using DE anytime. You don't want them to breath it either. It is very fine and will put up one heck of a cloud when mixing with the food. We also use it in the run and coop.

 

[foxypoproxy]

Thank you!

I thought DE was safe? So its not ok to breath it in?
Oh, and how often do you mix it in with their feed. Every day? Every week? Every month?

 

[DianeS]

Quote:
Yes, DE is safe. And no, you should not breathe it in.

Just like flour is safe, but it isn't meant to be breathed. And baby powder is safe, but you shouldn't breathe it in either. For that matter, so is water! Put it all over your body, even drink it, but don't try to breathe it!

 

[foxypoproxy]

Quote:
Yes, DE is safe. And no, you should not breathe it in.

Just like flour is safe, but it isn't meant to be breathed. And baby powder is safe, but you shouldn't breathe it in either. For that matter, so is water! Put it all over your body, even drink it, but don't try to breathe it!

Well i wasn't planning on shoving my face in it and inhaling

but good point

 

[Godiva]

We mix a little DE into the feed everytime we fill it up. We mix it outside and then once it is mixed take it into the coop. It doesn't pouf into the air all that easily - just if you stir vigorously or the wind is blowing... we love it - we have never had worm problems with our birds and have never dewormed. We also don't have very many flies despite living near to a number of feed lots... the flies lay their eggs in the poop which is full of DE, good deal for us

 

[artsy1]

I really don't measure it, just throw a scoop of it into the feed bag, when it looks like it is getting used up.
Have had the chicks and quails eating it forever and no problems with bugs, worms, sickness........
Just started my baby chicks on it and they are 3 weeks old.
also sprinkle it on the hay where they lay.

 

[foxypoproxy]

Thanks everyone

I think i know how much to use now.

 

[bleith]

I put between 1-2 lbs into a 50lb feed bag and mix it it. I also sprinkle in coop to keep poo dried out. other than that, shoudl be all good