what is DE and where do i find it?

[bubblesgigi]

I was reading on here about using DE in poop boards. I went to Hirsch today to get some and they only didnt know what I was talking about. They suggested some kind of pellets thats used in horse stalls, but I declined. I really like the idea of the DE stuff.....HELP!!!

 

[BigRedNZ]

Just google it, you'll find it heaps of places.

It's diatomaceous earth. It comes as a finely ground powder. Look through the posts on here and you'll get loads of information.

Basically it works by drying and being abrasive. That is apparently bad for mites/insects and good for drying up poo. You'll some people on here swear by it (some even consume it themselves :/) and others think it's over rated, try it for yourself

 

[speckledhen]

If you have a Custom Milling dealer near you, they can get you some Perma Guard food grade DE. http://www.custommilling.com/dealers.html

My county farmers co-op now carries food grade DE and another local feed store does as well, but when you ask for it, please make sure it's food grade. It will say it on the bag. If it doesn't, don't let them talk you into buying it.


To absorb ammonia odors, you can also use Stall Dri or Sweet PDZ, which most feed stores ought to carry.

 

[NeTNChknLover]

Great stuff! I use it religiously. I always get mine at the local co-op or at TSC! Good luck on finding it!

 

[bubblesgigi]

does the Stall Dri or Sweet PDZ do the same thing as the DE? And whats the name of the stuff that I read somewhere on here that you can toss on the floor and in nesting boxes for mites and such....is that the DE also?

 

[clay]

DE is the skeletons of microscopic sea life (diatoms). It is used to control insects because, "The fine powder absorbs lipids from the waxy outer layer of insects' exoskeletons, causing them to dehydrate." (Wikipedia) Mostly harmless to birds and mammals except can cause very dry skin and certain forms with very sharp crystals are an inhalation hazard. Stall Dry is a mixture of DE and clay. I guess the DE keeps the parasites down while absorbing excess moisture, and the clay absorbs ammonia and odors, probably about as effective as kitty litter. Sweet PDZ, which I just learned about, is granulated or powdered zeolite, a mineral which naturally adsorbs (not absorbs) and breaks down ammonia. I really want to try it out in my chicken house, and more so in the smelly duck house. We used to keep fish in a 50 gallon aquarium and used zeolite rocks to control ammonia as well as filters loaded with activated charcoal and smaller zeolite chips, so I know that it works. Zeolite loaded with ammonia slowly releases nitrogen, which should make the old litter an even better fertilizer. Going to the co-op for feed tomorrow and I'll look for Sweet PDZ there.