Using Food Grade DE

[BigPeep]

I do have asthma so I don't want to use the DE. I have a product called "Surround" which is Kaolin clay that can be sprayed on plants in the garden and deters insects in much the same manner as the DE, by acting as an abrasive on their bodies. I am wondering if this can be used around the chickens.

 

[BreadNButterFarm]

They have the Permaguard Codex Food Grade DE at the Amish feed store in Bird in Hand, PA for you Pennsylvanian folks.

And just be careful for those of you who are reading the label and seeing it is okay to add to feed . . . that doesn't mean it is food grade DE. The first bag I ordered and got from my local feed store was that stuff and it is just to keep feed from caking . . . you only add about 2% to the animal feed (horse, cow, chicken, etc) but it isn't the right stuff for dusting them, their nest boxes, coop & run.

Just don't want anyone's critters injured!

 

[JeninMN]

Quote:
Ok, now you have me a little nervous...I asked at Fleet Farm if it was Food Grade...they said yes. It shows how to mix it in the feed and it also shows benefits from using it. However, it does not say on the bag that it is Food Grade. If it doesn't say it on the bag how can I verify that it is????

 

[sianara]

Quote:
Call the manufacturer, that's what I did.

 

[Cherrypie]

Quote:
This post was a huge help! Thanks so much. I wasn't sure how much was too much but it sounds like it is good stuff to have around. I'll pick up a dust mask for my next application but otherwise, I feel safe about interacting with the product.

 

[elcunni75]

My DH bought sand that contains silica. He wants me put this in the outdoor coops for the birds to bathe in.
The reason I have put this here is that while looking to see if silica was safe for my chickens, I read that a diatomite is almost pure silica which is ground into DE.
While I realize this May not be the Best place to put this, what is your opinion about tossing the sand out for the birds to dust in???
Thanks!

 

[MelissaR]

Quote:
JeninMN:

Which Fleet Farm did you get your DE at? I'm in the Twin Cities area and have been looking for a good source.

Thanks!

 

[JeninMN]

Quote:
JeninMN:

Which Fleet Farm did you get your DE at? I'm in the Twin Cities area and have been looking for a good source.

Thanks!

Hi, I got mine up by Fergus Falls...when I looked tho it looks like there are Fleet Farms in

Blaine
Brooklyn Park
Oakdale

You might want to look under "Mills Fleet Farm"...I would just call and ask them if they carry it if any of these are close to you??

 

[MelissaR]

Thank you! I have a Mills FF near my work - very convenient. I wanted to confirm who it was because I've seen other "Fleet Farms" that aren't Mills.

 

[anthonyjames]

I happened to end up with a bag of red earth Diatomaceous Earth with calcium bentonite. I can't tell if this is any different from the 50 lb bag from different vendor or if it has more calcium which I thought was not a good thing for chickens.

Can anyone tell me the difference?