Anyone use DE?

[elgordo]

Does anyone use diatomaceous earth (food grade) for help in keeping parasites down? I know people use it, but I never see an explanation of how much each animal should eat for it to be effective. How much do you feed? Does it help keep fly populations down in manue? Where do you buy yours? Thanks!

[Starsmom]

I use DE, I purchase it online through Hoeggers Goat Supply.

I use about a handful per horse per day. I haven't noticed much decrease as far as the actual fly population, but I did notice that there weren't any bots on my horses. Then I missed a few days giving it to them and suddenly they have bot flys on them, so I guess it does work for that. Also, I know it kinda scrapes the inside of their intestinal walls and along the digestive tract to remove parasites, etc. Well, I was curious after using it about a week, did a manure inspection. In one very fresh pile I found lots of stone like objects. Not sure which horse or what it was, but I was glad it was outside the horse and not inside. The horses do appear more energetic. I think it is a good thing to use in addition to your regular worming schedule, but I don't think it should replace it completely.

[mailman]

I found this at: http://www.hydromall.com/happy_grower16.html
Animal Suggested Rate
Beef Cattle: 1% of total weight of dry ration 5% in grain
Dairy Cattle: 1% of total weight of dry ration
Calves: 4 grams in morning milk per calf
Chickens: 5% in feed, use at full strength in dusting boxes
Hogs: .2% of total feed ration, dust or spray on bedding and animals
Horses: 5 ounces (1 cup) in daily feed ration
Sheep: 1% in ground grains 1 part Diatomaceous Earth to 2 parts T-M salt
Goats: 1% in grain, 5% per bushel of feed: up to 50% in T-M salt
Dogs: 1 T. per day in daily ration for dogs over 55 lbs., 1 tsp. per day in ration for small dogs and puppies, rub powder at full strength into the coat for fleas and sprinkle on bedding
Cats: 1 tsp. per daily ration, rub at full strength into coat for fleas and sprinkle on bedding
Hope this helps...Dennis

Originally Posted by elgordo

Does anyone use diatomaceous earth (food grade) for help in keeping parasites down? I know people use it, but I never see an explanation of how much each animal should eat for it to be effective. How much do you feed? Does it help keep fly populations down in manue? Where do you buy yours? Thanks!

[cedarbreezefarm]

I use DE for flies in the barn with relatively good success. I sprinkle it generously on the floor- as the flies lay eggs then hatch to larvae it does a number on them in that stage. Because you don't get them all you need to reapply on a regular basis. I have noticed a significant decrease in the number of flies in barn. I purchased the DE in 50# at a not so local feed store that ordered it for me. I even used it in the garden on bean, potatoe, and tomato plants. But I must have used too much in some spots cause the leaves turned brown! So easy does it in the garden.