Some DE questions...

[hd_darcy]

How much DE would I put in the chicken's food which is in a 5 qt ice cream pail? Also, how often should they have DE? Do I put it in the coop like weekly? And also with every time they get feed?? Thanks in advance!

 

[bigdaddyabc]

If by DE you mean Diatomaceous Earth, it isn't for feeding it is for sprinkling on bedding and around the coop. The insects don't walk across it. Please don't feed DE to your chickens. Not a good idea. Happy Tuesday!

 

[Wolfwoman]

Actually, yes you can put it in their feed, just as humans can take it too. I am not sure of the amount yet, as I just had to order mine to get some... if there's no instructions with it, I'll be on google...lol

 

[bigdaddyabc]

Quote:
What is the benefit to feeding it to them directly from a nutritional standpoint? I know that mine get some as they peck around the coop and such, but why would we feed it purposely? Calcium??

 

[Ema]

FOOD GRADE DE can be fed to your chickens, aswell as consummed by humans, but most people use it to sprinkle around coops and barns etc...if you google food grade DE the website will come up and you can read up on it and its benefits and will have the feeding suggestions as well.

 

[Imp]

Here's a discussion about using it in feed.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=203882

Just this week there was a discussion about humans eating it.

Imp

 

[ADozenGirlz]

An important distinction ought to be made here: the DE MUST be FOOD GRADE DE in order to feed it to animals and humans. Non-food grade DE is toxic to ingest!

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

What is the benefit to feeding it to them directly from a nutritional standpoint?

The nutritional benefit is the same as feeding them sand, since DE is about 90% Silica​

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Non-food grade DE is toxic to ingest!

It's not "toxic" to ingest.
It's just pointless to ingest

The hazard comes from breathing the dust​

 

[Wolfwoman]

Quote:
It's not "toxic" to ingest.
It's just pointless to ingest

The hazard comes from breathing the dust

Not true....

"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."

Read more here:
http://www.safesolutionsinc.com/Diatomaceous_Earth.htm