Omlet Smart Autodoor - New in box

[Stella14]

I'm just starting out and would be really interested to hear about peoples experience with Diatromaceous Earth (food grade). It sounds very sensible in principle to me. For those who use it regularly, do you find in practice that it keeps on top of mites and lice and does anyone use that alone to keep worms in check?

Edited November 11, 2010 by Guest

[Stella14]

Just found this information:

 

Internal Parasite Control:

Diatom has been used for at least two decades as a natural wormer for livestock. It is believed that the DE

scratches and dehydrates internal parasites. Some scientists believe that the Diatom is a de-ioniser or de-energiser of

the worms or parasites. Regardless of the method of operation, farmers report definite control. For effective use, the

Diatom must be fed long enough to catch all the newly hatching eggs or cycling of the worms through the lungs and back

into the stomach. A minimum of 60 days is suggested at 2% of dry weight of the grain ration. Caution: do not give to very

small pregnant animals such as cats, guinea pigs etc. and do not feed continually to babies or very small adult animals such

as cats or hamsters etc. The material may be fed on a continuous basis to larger livestock for continuous parasite control

and mineralisation, which is the next major use.

Diatoms mode of action for insect and parasite control is strictly mechanical. The microscopically sharp edges

contact the insect or parasite and pierce their protective coating so they soon dehydrate and die. The larva is affected in

the same way. This makes Diatom an excellent and totally natural control with no mechanical or chemical damage to the

animal tissue. For poultry there is no egg withdrawal period needed. It can be used as a dust for fleas, lice and other

external pest by rubbing into the coat of the animal. Both internal and external parasite and insect pest control with

result in improvement in health, appearance and behaviour as well as assimilation of feed, which means improved weight

gain and lowered feed costs.

Diatom can also used as an animal feed additive for cows, calves, horses, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits, chickens,

turkeys, ducks, dogs, cats, pigeons and other pet or farm animals. Animal use: suggested feeding and application rates for

internal (worming) and external use …..

feed ration, dust on bedding and animals. 

Chickens and other Poultry: 5% in feed, use at full strength in dusting boxes and nest boxes.

[beach chick]

hi Stella - loads of us use it, either as a dust over more or less anything (cube,chooks!, dustbath etc) and I think some add it to food as well. I just kind of chuck it about and hope for the best! not sure I would notice anything different if I didnt use it, but I just add it to my routine...

[Redwing]

It kills mites and lice by s"Ooops, word censored!"ing at their protective surface and then dries them out

 

Personally I wouldnt feed anything abrasive or drying to my chooks

 

I do use it in the coop though

[beach chick]

thank you redwing, I was trying to think what it was it actually did!! (brain elsewhere today)

I'm sure I've read that people add it to food? dont think I would, mine are very suspicious if it's different...

[chicken bark]

I use it in my coop and have not seen lice or mite yet.

 

I did try it in their food when I first had my hens but they wouldn't eat it. I'd rather use Flubenvet for worming.

 

It's just a case of trying to find a cheap stockist as it seems to be getting more expensive.

[Chicken deficient]

I did an experiment last year when I found two red mites.

I put them in a jam jar with some diatom to see what would happen...they were still walking around in it 5 days later!

I don't understand, because it seems to work in the coop?

[poppers77]

Hi there,

 

I only found out about Diatoms after i'd bought a shed load of other stuff! I use it around their house and on them when they sit still long enough-they just shake it off again! Our friends get monthly supplies from the guy they bought their chooks from - excellent service! I just got told to get on with it! Thank goodness for this forum!

P