Using Food Grade DE

[CarolAnn]

I looked at two online sources for food grade DE and the product itself wasn't too costly but the shipping was almost equal, and in the case of smaller quantities more than the product. That eliminates ordering online for me. So now I need to find a source within driving distance. I found out that the Earl May Garden store 30 mi away has it in 4# bags for around $13, but the person I talked to had no idea as to it's being food grade or not. My guess is that being in the garden store it IS food grade. I may drive the 30 mi to find out. I was surprised the big health food store in Lawrence doesn't carry it, but I ws told they use it i n their storage areas for insects but don't sell it in the store. I continue my search.

 

[lamelde]

I use PermaGuard's DE - it is Food Grade and clearly states that on the bag. Be weary of those that don't - because they are NOT Food Grade!

I sprinkle a liberal amount under each new layer of bedding every time the coop starts to "smell" - it dries out poo piles quickly & eliminates the odors.

I even take it daily myself (1 heaping tablespoon in my morning juice) - I have Diverticulosis (colon pollups - spelling?) anyway I've noticed less gas, much less bowel trouble, and alot less pain (it keeps the pipes clean so to speak) - I can even eat peanuts again!

I swear by it - I just wish I could find a source within driving distance (midwestern WI) - we have Farm Fleet & they do not carry it, nor do the local feed stores

If anyone is nearby (La Crosse, Onalaska, Sparta, Black River Falls, Tomah) areas in Wisconsin & you know of store that carries it - post it here or please PM me

Thanks for reading

 

[Armageddon]

Quote:
That's a great price.....I pay over $40 for a 50lb bag!!!!!!!!

 

[tcltoughmom]

I've been looking for it near me too-----went on line and looked up all feed stores in WV and finally found one 35 minutes from me- in Lewisburg WV--Hillybilly Feed Store. It was 30.00 The last one I ended up paying around 88.00 for a 50.00 bag and shipping on line- but it was delivered to my front door by UPS- in three days. Don't give up--keep searching. tcltoughmom

 

[Pelican49]

All I needed to read was that it kills scorpions. Then again, so do the girls.

 

[CarolAnn]

Quote:
That's a great price.....I pay over $40 for a 50lb bag!!!!!!!!

Wow JeninMN, that is awful cheap. Are you sure that's food grade?

I'm going to Topeka, KS (around 70 mi one way) to get Perma Guard 50# for $30. I just hated to order it online, as the shipping was almost as much as the product. I'm so thankful to my Kansas peeps for finding it semi-local for me. I maybe dragging the granddaughters along tomorrow to go get it.

lamelde, I'll be taking it as you are. Figure it shouldn't taste much different than Miralax which you hardly know is there when taken with water. And I probably won't need that once I start with the DE. I have to give it a try. My chicken house is due for a good mucking out and I'm anxious to get that done and get the DE down.

 

[dsqard]

For anyone who can't find food grade where they are Jeffers does carry smaller quantities and the shipping is reasonable. In fact if you order over a certain dollar amount, shipping is free. Not sure of the dollar amount though.

 

[Bearing1]

After an extensive search in the Houston area I wound up buying 50# online for $28.00 + $28.00 shipping.
I have since found it at D&D feedstore in Tomball, Tx for $28.00 for 50# also they have it in smaller bags kept in stock
Oh well! soon as I use the 50# maybe in a few years or so I'll know where to go, hope it helps someone else.

 

[CarolAnn]

For any of you who are within decent distance of Topeka, I picked up a 50# bag of Perma Guard food grade fossil shell flour DE today for a total of $30.08. I got it at Premier Home and Garden at 900 SW University Blvd, very near the front Entrance to Forbes Field. Thanks so much to the one who hooked me up with them. I sure appreciate it!! I have a qt jar of it on my counter and will start using it in the tomorrow, for me and the girls and dudes. That is if it isn't raining and I can muck out my chicken hen house. It got cold today! It's long pants for me tomorrow. And time for hot tea too maybe. The stuff is as fine as flour or maybe finer.

I thought about some of you today as we drove N on 59 from Ottawa to Atchison. Our son is living in Atchison now and it was such a pretty drive. I was ready for a road trip. Getting to browse Tractor Supply was a plus too. Did you know they Purina makes something called Flock Blocks? They're on the same line as mineral and salt lick blocks for cattle. I've been telling hubby someone ought to make a big block of something for chickens to take the place of the greens they can't get foraging in the snowy yard during winter. He was thinking maybe one could grind/chop alfalfa for them for the greens. What do you folks think or do about this, if anything. Seems like there ought to be something out there to add to their diet to make up for the no grasses season. I'm really going to hit my produce guys hard for greens they usually put in the dumpster this fall and winter.