| Author |
Barnyard Buddies:  diatomaceous earth  |
|
|
SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
 Posted - Jul 28 2008 : 10:32:35 AM
|
| How do I use this on my chickens? People have told me to "apply it" to them and make sure I don't breathe it in. . .I think I'm just too embarassed to ask what "apply it" means. . .showing my ignorance. Thanks for any info. |
|
|
gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2008 : 10:48:09 AM
|
well it is a compound that will kill fleas ticks and insects.
It is more than likly to be a powder you can get a liquid also.
My chickens really didn't have a problem but I thought is was because of the dust baths they would take.
It it is a powder but it in the hole where they do the dust thing if it is a liquid?
As mad as a wet Hen comes to mind.
Good luck Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
 |
|
|
Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2008 : 11:17:07 AM
|
Exactly what is this? I have never heard the word before. Of course, I am a want-to-be farm girl, living on 2 acres, but I do have 7 cats. So, fleas are a problem. Would this stuff harm my cats? Interested in knowing more. Thanks for the post on the subject.
Marly |
|
|
|
gramadinah
True Blue Farmgirl
3557 Posts
Diana
Orofino
ID
USA
3557 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2008 : 11:27:16 AM
|
It is fossilized algae that is very sharp grained. That is an insectide.
I really don't think I would go there.
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #273 |
|
|
|
Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2008 : 12:10:10 PM
|
I ordered some of this from a mail order pet supply company.
It's very fine and powdery. i wonder if it would work on our garden plants.
We had a bugger of a time this past winter w/ fleas. I'm armed now, but will wear a dust mask and may also place someting over the dog's face.
Basically,the microscopic edges rip into an insect's exo-skeleton, so they have no ability to build any kind of resistance like they can with chemicals. This shredding is what can also potentially happen to our lungs. |
|
|
|
shepherdgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1008 Posts
Tracy
California
USA
1008 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2008 : 6:09:40 PM
|
Oh! I know about this one! I have been using Diotomatious Earth for YEARS!! There are several grades sold-- Garden grade and Food grade, which really aren't much different and it's also what is used in swimming pools, but you don't want THAT kind for anything other than your SWIMMING POOL because it contains some other compounds that may be harmful to humans and animals if ingested. You can buy the kind labeled "Food Grade" at Natural Food stores and you can order it from a mail order company like Anna did, but I buy mine at the feed store-- it's MUCH cheaper. Less than $7.00 a box.
The Garden grade is pretty pure. You just sprinkle it on and around your plants like seven dust. Only its safe for the environment. There are no toxins in it. It's a very fine powder-- like flour-- and it only acts like glass to insects and other creepy crawlies, like Anna said. It makes cuts all over them and they basically get dehydrated, shrivel (sp?) up and die.
I feed it to my sheep and goats on occasion (I mix a small amount with their grain. It contains some very good natural minerals). The "DE" will remain in the animal droppings and help break the worm cycle-- if you have a problem. It will also kill fly larvae!! I have also used it on the goats to get rid of mites. You just rub it into their fur really well, careful not to breathe the dust (it's a lung irritant). You can use it on cats and dogs too. If the animals lick themselves (or another animal licks them) it won't hurt them a bit. You can do the same thing with your chickens. Like Diana said, you can put some in the holes where he chickens take their dust baths. It's GREAT stuff!!! ~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
|
|
| |
Barnyard Buddies: diatomaceous earth |
|
diatomaceous earth
