Mixing Diatomaceous Earth into Feed

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I ordered my DE from custummilling.com and no you don't want to get it at the pool supply store at all...that would be the wrong stuff. It should be pure white powdery looking. Should not have any tinge of brown color at all. I believe my bag also said fossil flour on it. They don't sell it at many feed stores either I have noticed so It's just safer getting it online. It was 50.00 but it has lasted me all year. WELL worth the money to KNOW your getting the right stuff and that it's safe for your chickens

Good luck!

 

[posey]

Hi, using diatomaceous earth is benefical for chickens, other animals and pets, and people. There is a lot of wonderful information on this site about using it. Just use the search function near the top of the message board and key it in.

Just remember that some posters were confused about the pool DE and the food grade.

As stated by a few here, please ONLY use food grade DE! I am a safety engineer and I beg you to not buy the cheapest DE at a pool supplier. It has been altered and chemicals have been added to it - this type is TOXIC. It has a very high level of silica which can cause respiratory problems if not handled properly. It is NOT the correct type of DE to use for chickens or other animals.

The food grade has a very low % of silica and has no toxic chemical additives.

Here is a good website to read and excellent article about DE.

http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/defaq.html

They also sell it. If you can find it locally just make certain that you are purchasing the food grade and it is labeled similar tho what another poster stated.

DE can be a wonderful and healthful addition to food and pet management, if the right type is used.

It's safe but the use of a dust mask may be something you would want to try. Also, don't spread outside on a windy day.

Hope this helps,
Posey

 

[greyhorsewoman]

I just sprinkle a partial coffee can of it over an evenings feed. If you are careful, there is no dust. I just shake the the bucket a little and the DE settles into the feed. I don't add it everyday, just every now and again. There is no hard and fast rule.

If you apply to your birds directly, then you need to be more careful with the dust you'll raise while doing that. Some folks like to put them in their favorite dusting places.

Absolutely, be sure to get FOOD GRADE DE. Most likely, you'll have to order online. Very few of us have found it readily available locally.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Right.

I don't usually wear a mask either, but I am careful in handling it not to raise dust. I also sprinkle it around the coop and where they dust bathe, lightly.

Here is another source for DE, info and a place to purchase:

http://www.custommilling.com/

 

[Swbuda]

I love DE!

I feed it to my chickens, my horses, AND I take some everyday!! I can't say enough about the benefits of DE..

I dust it all over the coop, in their nestboxes,( keeps ants out of their coop, also), mix it in their food, the horses get some in their water-trough, (keeps the algae down), I dust them too, keeps flies off their backs!

I buy a 50# bag at my local feed Co-Op for $27.00.. Be careful where you buy.. Some folks will really take advantage of you! Shari

 

[cointoss]

Kat'sChicks :

Welcome to the group from another newbie! Check with your local farm supply store or grain Co-Op. You can also find it in the swimming pool supply area at some places. Good luck and stay cool!

Only use food grade DE. Pool DE has been treated and is very toxic. Lawn DE has natural lead in it. So make sure you only buy food grade DE. This type of DE is also much less dangerous to inhale, dust wise. I get mine here:

http://www.dirtworks.net/Diatomaceous-Earth.html​

 

[cointoss]

Quote:
I wish my local feed stores would carry it -- none of them do, though I keep prodding them! So, I pay alot more for mine via the internet. Still, it does last forever. I even use it around the perimeter of my home to keep out ants!

 

[rancher hicks]

I don't recall reading about DE and any of the chicken books. Why and how do you know you need it?

 

[cointoss]

Quote:
DE acts as a dewormer internally, and kills insects quickly by dehydrating them, making it great to dust chickens or other animals for mites and fleas -- it physically damages insect exoskeletons and they die very quickly. I've watched ants in my kitchen die within a minute after crawling through DE.

Diatomaceous Earth is made of diatoms, microscopic fossils of simple celled animals from long ago. It is not really an earth, but it is mined from the ground, hence the name. It is the agricultural industry standard for dusting grain storage bins to keep bugs from destroying the crop. That's why dried cracked corn and other grains are often mildly dusty. It should be used cautiously outside the home (ie the yard) because it will kill all insects, good and bad alike.

Hope that answers your question.

 

[Wolfwoman]

Do not buy from pool supply!

http://www.safesolutionsinc.com/Diatomaceous_Earth.htm

It is important to recognize that not all forms of diatomaceous earth are non-toxic and safe to use for organic gardening and agriculture. DE that is used for swimming pool filters is toxic to humans and will not control insects. Other brands of DE advertised as "insecticidal" often have additives of chemicals such as pyrethrum and piperonyl butoxide - these products are not safe to eat and should not be administered to animals or humans. Safe Solutions DE is 100% non-toxic, food-grade quality mined from uncontaminated fresh-water deposits.