Organic (non GMO) feed without diatomaceous earth

[TXchickmum]

Does anyone have suggestions for a good organic feed that does not contain diatomaceous earth?

 

[mnferalkitty]

You could mix your own, Do you have a feedmill near you?

 

[TXchickmum]

We have a feed mill relatively close. We recently tried the H&H Old Fashioned Layer mix. -feed had great ingredients, however it was very 'dusty'. The chickens picked through it to particular grains and left the rest. -then read that it contained DE. -not good (to breathe) since I scoop and shop vac the excess feed from the coop on a daily basis. I was hoping to purchase "ready made" feed. -so far, all organic brands are fortified with DE...

 

[hemet dennis]

We have a feed mill relatively close. We recently tried the H&H Old Fashioned Layer mix. -feed had great ingredients, however it was very 'dusty'. The chickens picked through it to particular grains and left the rest. -then read that it contained DE. -not good (to breathe) since I scoop and shop vac the excess feed from the coop on a daily basis. I was hoping to purchase "ready made" feed. -so far, all organic brands are fortified with DE...

LOL You vacuum your coop daily ?????????

 

[laura625]

now now, no laughing.

why do you vacuum your coop. do you re offer the food you scoop up?
I am not sure which grade of face mask would filter DE, but easy enough to find out, then wear that while scooping etc.
Or even just a kerchief.
wouldnt that work?

 

[Cindy in PA]

Not sure why you would worry about the DE. If you are using a mash type feed, the vitamins & minerals & the calcium will still be "powder" and you will still have the same problem. Fill the feeder less often & they will have to eat the dust, it's part of the feed. Either that or get crumble or pellets. Make sure the feeder is at their back level or they will make the same mess.

 

[Billy-jean]

I just add my own DE to the feed bins..awesome for keeping away pests!!! didn't know they made it WITH DE in it already,,interesting.
I just wear a breathing/ventilation mask when I do a big cleaning.

 

[TXchickmum]

I scoop/vacuum the coop daily for sanitation. (don't re-introduce the feed that has been scooped) We have two coops. One houses 3 Golden Comet pullets. The other houses our Belgium d'Anver, two Old English Game, and Japanese bantams. The chickens freely roam the back lawn approximately six hours per day (with supervision). They are in a well-ventilated (due to climate) coop the remainder of the time. I scoop droppings regularly. I bring in the feed and vacuum the remainder in the evening due to a recent appearance of rodent droppings in a few nest boxes each morning. Thus far, this type of meticulous cleaning (albeit time-consuming) has eliminated the issue. We live in a suburban subdivision, and I do not want rodents about our property (or creating issues for my neighbors). Yuck!

-appreciate all of the feedback. DE is definitely not good on the lungs. (and I just don't care for the dust) -was just hoping to find an organic (preferred) feed without it. -looks like I'll mix my own.

 

[StarryEyzz]

Check out this product: http://www.scratchandpeck.com/

 

[TXchickmum]

Thank you!