Do you ever feed you goats DE?

I fail at geology.

anna i still love to read what you have to say

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Susanne Stuetzler
Ain-ash-shams
Nubian Dairy Goats

please visit us at
http://www.ain-ash-shams.net

I guess you all are talking about Diatomaceous Earth?
Diatomaceous Earth is made of diatoms: the fossilized remains of tiny tiny (almost microscopic) animals that lived millions of years ago. Around the turn of the last century it was a popular hobby to collect slides of diatoms and view them in a special device similar to the old "Viewmaster" that some of us used to have as kids.

Thank you! It is not limestone or sylacone.
it is.....itty bitty....dead critters! I knew that. Sharp little critters too.
LOL!

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Corky

LEAD ME NOT INTO TEMPTATION. I CAN FIND IT BY MYSELF.

Diatomaceous earth also known as DE, TSS, diatomite, diahydro, kieselguhr, kieselgur or celite — is a naturally occurring, soft, chalk-like sedimentary rock that is easily crumbled into a fine white to off-white powder. This powder has an abrasive feel, similar to pumice powder, and is very light, due to its high porosity. The typical chemical composition of diatomaceous earth is 86% silica, 5% sodium, 3% magnesium and 2% iron. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth)

86% silica?? Is that related to silicone?? I have no idea....


Anyway, the rest of the article is pretty neat...has a microscope picture of what a diatom looks like.

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my posts and pictures are my exclusive property and may not be used without my permission.

My understanding was that food grade DE had not been heat treated like pool filter DE, and therefore did not have the same silicosis risk. But I only saw that claim one place. I wondered. Is this incorrect?

I know when I use DE for the pool, that stuff is almost impossible not to inhale. It is so incredibly powderey and gets all stirred up at the least little disturbance. Way worse than flour.

(No, I wasn't going to give my animals DE from the pool, if I decide to use it, I will get food grade.)

You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Texas A&M Edwards plateau did tests on DE and parasites, it was on their website back when they did it. It showed no benefit at all feeding it orally in killing parasites, although once the pellets are dried (DE only works when it's dry why it can't work inside a wet animal it will, spread all over your property from nanny berries, kill the fly larve, dung beatles etc.. As many beneficial insectes are killed as harmful ones when spread though.

The inhalation part is what I would be most concerned about, not only yourself but your stock. I can see it like many things, pasture rotation etc...having it's place on the farm, I would just make sure you aren't giving it more weight than it deserves as part of your parasite management. Vicki

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Vicki McGaugh
Nubian Soaps
North of Houston TX
www.etsy.com/shop/nubiansoaps

A 3 decade dairy goat farm homestead that is now a retail/wholesale soap company and construction business.