Is food grade diatomaceous earth safe?

[Farmer Mike S]

I recently had a problem with ammonia in my chicken coop and a lot of people recommend food grade diatomaceous earth, so I sent my dad over to the feed shop next to his work. The guy at the feed shop said it's very dangerous and causes cancer.

My question is whether or not this is true, and if it's safe or not to me and my chickens. I might run out and get it somewhere else on my own if it is safe

 

[Farmer Mike S]

Also, how much would you recommend to use? My coops 4x4

 

[Alaskan]

The thing to worry about is the dust, not the product itself. You can always use a mask when you are scooping it about, but once the dust settles, it is just fine.

I really like my poop trays filled with sweet PDZ, that helps lots with the smell and the ammonia too. But, it is also dusty when you are shoveling it about.

 

[Farmer Mike S]

The thing to worry about is the dust, not the product itself. You can always use a mask when you are scooping it about, but once the dust settles, it is just fine.

I really like my poop trays filled with sweet PDZ, that helps lots with the smell and the ammonia too. But, it is also dusty when you are shoveling it about.

Now if my chickens dust bathe inside the coop like they usually do, would this stir up some dust or will it be fine?

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: It will stir up dust

"FINE" is a subjective term.

REALITY is breathing Silica dust is harmful to the lungs

Lime will do a better job of killing odors, and is less hazardous

 

[Alaskan]

I haven't used food grade DE, only the sweet PDZ in poop trays.

It does kick up some dust when they dust bathe in it, the powder one is dustier than the granulated one.

I don't know how it affects the chickens long term......but no one here on BYC has mentioned issues.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: That's largely because chickens don't get extensive healh checkups
You can't SEE lung damage, and chickens have relatively short lives anyway