I have feed grade DE (>1% crystaline silica) and not food grade DE (>0.3-0.7% crystaline silica). I don't intend to add it to the chick feed, just dust the coop and bedding in hopes of reducing creepy crawlers and odors. After a day spent researching this site and others, I still have concerns if the dust will be harmful to the chicks eyes and respiratory system. Can anyone help clear up my confusion?
Well, I use DE and I have happy healthy birds. I put it in the food & throw it around the coop. I use food grade.
I bought the organic grade, for dusting, not planning on feeding it to the chickens. Jut need it for the garden and the chicken dust bathing areas. I am happy with it.