Question about DE...bought a bag today and .....

[mmtillman]

I wanna learn how to use DE before I put it in the coop. How much per square foot?? How often to use it ?? I just read a great thread on DE a few days ago...but cant find it now....

We just want some basic info about the stuff and what some seasoned chicken owners have to say about it ??
The bag was damaged and we cant read English version of how to use it...

 

[ghillie]

First, make sure it is food grade DE. The other can be harmful. I mix 1 teaspoon per quart of food. I also sprinkle a little in the dusting areas and in the nest boxes. That is all I do......

 

[briana1975]

You are supposed to use 2% of the DE to the dry weight of the food. That is what the front of my bag says. I hope that helps a little.

For inside the coop I sprinkled it over the wood shaving and mixed it in. Outside I have a huge shallow flower pot that I put sand and DE in so they can take a dust bath in it.

Make sure you do not breath it in I have been told it is harmful to your lungs.

 

[Judy]

Have you checked out the threads on the FAQ page about DE?

 

[mmtillman]

Quote:
OK...I am a very new newbie, so , maybe I goofed..I purchased : Stall Dry ?? Is that the same as DE??

?? It contains DE. I'm confused???
You actually add this stuff to the chickens food??

Maybe I didnt understand correctly?? This stuff says non-toxic on the bag..but...
I am not gonna open the bag till I learn more about this stuff....I feel like such a goober......

 

[speckledhen]

I don't see any foreign language on my DE bags. Are you sure it's FOOD GRADE? It will say something like Chemical Codex Food Grade on it. Where did you get it? If at Home Depot or something like that, it is not food grade.

Oh, you said you got Stall Dry which isn't food grade DE and you can't put it in your feed. Stall Dry isn't for killing bugs like DE is. Stall Dry absorbs ammonia smells, but cannot be used in place of DE for the same uses.

Read about DE here.
http://www.shadowridgedonkeys.com/perma_food_grade.htm
http://wolfcreekranch1.tripod.com/defaq.html
http://www.biconet.com/pets/fossilShell.html

 

[mmtillman]

Quote:
OK...thanks for clearing this up for me....I just got confused when I read to put this stuff in the chickens feed?? That didnt sound right and yes...this stuff I got is STALL DRY with DE in it...so I doubt if it is food grade. I will return it to the Orselins where we got it and try to find the right type ...thanks everyone for the links to learn about this stuff....I guess I acted hasty when I purchased that bag today!! When I saw the DE listed in the ingredients I thought I found the right stuff...duh....

I still have lots to learn....

 

[speckledhen]

You may have to order it. It's not easily found sometimes.

 

[briana1975]

Quote:
I couldn't find it anywhere and had to order it online.

 

[quiltnchik]

Quote:
Lowes carries a 4.4 lb bag for $8.97 here in VA, so check your local Lowes.