diatomaceous earth (for livestock)greenspun.com : LUSENET : Countryside : One Thread |
does anyone know anything about this natural wormer/feed suppliment?is it safe ? where does it come from?how is it made? any help would be very usefull. thanks randy
-- randy risner (risner@bellsouth.net), December 27, 2001
Diatomaceous Earth is not new; It's been in the earth since there WAS earth! It has been used for several thousand years. Diatomaceous Earth is a natural occurring siliceous sedimentary mineral compound from microscopic skeletal remains of unicellular algae-like plants called diatoms. These plants have been part of the earth's ecology since prehistoric times. Diatoms are basic to the oceanic cycle, and the food for minute animal life which in turn becomes the food for higher forms of marine life.As living plants, diatoms weave microscopic shells from the silica they extract from the water, then as they die, deposits are formed and then fossilized in what are now dried lake and ocean beds. The material is then mined, ground and screened to various grades, for the countless uses in today's products and processes, from toothpaste to cigars, plastics to paprika, filter media in swimming pools to home fish tanks, as well as insect and parasite control in animals and grains.
The insecticidal quality of of food grade DE is due to the razor sharp edges of the diatom remains. When DE comes contact with the insects, the sharp edges lacerate the bug's waxy exoskeleton and then the powdery DE absorbs the body fluids causing death from dehydration. Said more simply, DE kills insects by drying them up. There is no residual danger of contamination. In fact, DE is actually beneficial to the soil; it's loaded with trace minerals.
Diatomaceous Earth is a natural (not calcined or flux calcined) compound with many elements which include: Silicon Dioxide, Aluminum Oxide, Iron Oxide, Calcium Oxide, Magnesium Oxide, Other Oxides. Semi quantitive spectrographic analysis of other elements: Copper 2ppm, Strontium 100ppm, Titanium 1800ppm, Manganese 200ppm, Sodium 2000ppm, Vanadium 500ppm, Boron 50ppm, Zirconium 200ppm.
Industrial grade DE is used in swimming pool filters and other industrial uses. It is heated/treated/ground larger than food grade. Therefore, it will not kill insects, but COULD kill your critters.
FOOD (codex) grade DE is approved by the FDA, EPA, AMDA, USDA. It is 100% DE with no additives and white in color.
There really is no down side to Diatomaceous Earth, except inhaling it! Like any flour type product, don't stick your nose in the bag and inhale! Folks with respiratory problems who use DE in a non-ventilated area wear a mask.
Food grade DE is sold in feed stores and organic nurseries/garden centers.
Some of us free feed food grade DE to our stock, others feed it daily by measurement. You can't overdose, but if the proper amount isn't fed, it won't work.
Use the DE wherever there's an insect problem. It's great on the fire ant hills!
-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), December 27, 2001.
I hate using chemicals on/in my animals, so I gave this a try. Didn't work on my cows or goats. One old cow I have got so wormy while on this we almost got in trouble with it. I don't remember the dose we used, whatever was recommended to us by the guy at Countryside in Va. I also hated the way the animal is almost forced to inhale the DE while they are eating. Every time they exhale they send some of it airborne, and inhale it on the next breath. Supposedly once that stuff is in your lungs, it doesn't come back out. The best luck we have had with a natural worming alternative is Basic H in the drinking water, as explained by Salatin in "Salad Bar Beef."
-- Joe (botaur2@yahoo.com), December 27, 2001.
Joe,Thanks for your contribution. I have heard folks swear by DE but when it is your animals health at risk it is good to hear 2 sides of the story. We also worried about putting DE in our garden as we feared it might damage our earthworms but have been assured it would not.
Kim
-- kim (fleece@eritter.net), December 27, 2001.
Used as a feed supplement daily in the feed, granulated garlic is a cheap and effective method of controlling internal parisites in all warm blooded animals, I have used it for several years now in our horses, dogs, and chickens. Bought in bulk, it costs about 3.75 a pound, and you use a teaspoon a day for dogs, and a tablespoon a day for horse sized critters.DE can easily cause inhalation pneumonia in people and critters, and it is not very effective either! Ok to control pests in the garden though.
-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), December 27, 2001.
=== We also worried about putting DE in our garden as we feared it might damage our earthworms but have been assured it would not. ===It won't. Gardners love food grade (codex) DE. It's loaded with trace minerals, which is good for the earth.
-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), December 27, 2001.
Joe, DE will not work unless the proper DE is fed. You can't overdose DE, but if the proper amount isn't fed, it also won't work.Your vet doing a fecal test is the best way to tell if any dewormer is working.
Field Tests ~ Feeding food grade (codex) DE
The University of Illinois School of Veterinary medicine has stated that nothing enters the meat or milk. LD/50 test shows there is no damage to organs even when fed in much larger percentages then needed.
The Federal Registry of the U.S. Congress lists DE as having "no tolerance" in the storage of grain. Many vitamin companies include DE for its trace minerals.
The Bio-integral Resource Center, Berkley, CA (formed in 1979 to provide practical, non-toxic and effective alternatives to a wide variety of pest problems in the U.S. & Canada) concluded that DE is not a hazard as the body can dissolve it.
The following field reports establish the virtues of DE as a parasitical, a digestive aid and a container of trace mineral. Holistically speaking, it is believed that DE is a compatible natural compound of organic origin that works harmoniously with the body in ways that cannot (as in homeopathy) always be explained.
CLINICAL OBSERVATIONS OF FEEDING FOOD-GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH TO DOGS
O.C. Collins, DVM
Midland Animal Clinic and Hospital
Midland, Texas
In clinical observations of feeding dogs over 35 lbs. 1 tablespoon/day, and under 35 lbs. 1 teaspoon/day of diatomaceous earth, within seven days all ova disappeared from stools. Diatomaceous Earth controlled Ascarids (Toxacara canis), Hookworms (Anclyostoma caninum), and Whipworms (Trichuris vulipis).
FIELD REPORT ON EXPERIMENTAL FEEDING OF FOOD-GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH TO ZOO ANIMALS
Richard Smith, Hallwood Inc.
Animal Food Specialties
Grand Rapids, Michigan
A mixture of feed incorporating 2% diatomaceous earth was sent to three zoos for reviewuation ~ John Ball Park of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Brookfield Zoo of Chicago, Illinois; and Buffalo Zoo of Buffalo, New York. John Ball and Buffalo Zoos reported that their black bears on the special feed showed a better coat and clearer eyes.
The primates fed at the Brookfield Zoo displayed a pronounced improvement in both appearance and behavior. Stool samples taken at all three zoos showed an absence of any internal parasites - adult or egg. Parasites in these animals were present prior to using the diatomaceous earth food mixture.
TEST RESULTS FROM FEEDING A 5% RATION OF FOOD-GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH TO RODENTS
Eldridge M. Burke, Ph. D.
Arizona State University
Division of Life Sciences
Tempe, Arizona
Comparison of test and control groups of rats where test and control groups were fed identical rations, i.e. 5% food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE). Significant differences were manifested in weight gains. The DE tested group of males had an average weekly gain of 6.4% over the control group of male animals. There was no evidence observed relative to residual silica content of the test versus control animals.
NOTE: The DE apparently had some growth stimulating effect during the early growth period. From a chemical analysis viewpoint it becomes apparent that many of the trace elements present are the same elements necessary for cell growth and metabolism. A second factor that may have influenced the growth rate is the property for the absorbability of the food grade DE.
Although hypothetical at this time, it may be that food was absorbed into the surface of the diatom particles. This would assist in the enzyme action with the result of greater products of digestion being available to the animals.
RESULTS OF FOOD-GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FED TO HORSES
Four Winds Stables
Robert D. Horkman
Orlando, Florida
Results of feeding 5 oz./day of diatomaceous earth to show horses for a period of one year:
Healthier-looking animals with a definite sheen to their coats, absence of internal parasites, better feed conversion, reduction in manure odor, fly control, cured scours in cases where other medications had failed and improved appetites in "picky eaters."
REPORT ON FEEDING FOOD-GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH TO WALKING HORSES
L. Thomas, Trainer
L. Frank Roper Stables
Winter Garden, Florida
With horses fed approximately 5 oz. (one cup) of diatomaceous earth mixed in the feed twice daily, the following results were observed:
1. Stopped scours even on horses that had not responded to any other medications.
2. Noticeable fly reduction.
3. Horses showed an increase in appetites.
4. Weight gain due to better feed conversion.
5. Reduction in manure odor.
6. Elimination of any internal parasites.
7. Healthier appearance.
STUDY OF FOOD-GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH IN FEED PIGS
M. F. Petty, DVM
Alabama
Results were as follows:
1. No internal parasites were discovered in the test group at any time after seven days of the DE.
2. All hogs on DE stopped rooting and destroying the wooden feeder after 10 days.
3. By the end of the third week the odor of the test group was noticeably less offensive than the control group.
4. At the end of six weeks the fly population decreased markedly.
RESULTS OF THE USE OF FOOD-GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH WITH POULTRY
C.S. Mangen, DVM
San Diego, California
Using two groups of birds with each group consisting of 8,000 white leghorn caged layers in their pullet year which had been producing for five months. After feeding the test group 60 lbs. of diatomaceous earth per 1-1/2 tons of standard mixed feed (17% protein) for 2-1/2 months the following results were observed:
1. There appeared to be less flies around the test group.
2. Droppings are of a drier consistency, making for easier cleaning of the house.
3. Seventy-five percent less deaths in the test group.
4. A 2-4 case per day increase in egg production by the test group compared to the control group.
ORGAN ANALYSIS OF DAIRY COWS
Michigan Department of Agriculture
Laboratory Division
Lansing, Michigan
Upon pathological examination of the organs of dairy cows having been given free-choice feeding of food-grade diatomaceous earth for a period of approximately five years, no visible organ abnormalities were observed.
FIELD REPORT - FREE CHOICE FEEDING TO DAIRY CATTLE
Dairy Herd Association
Improvement Program
Hussey Farms
Litchfield Park, Arizona
Tests run on purebred Jersey dairy cows given free choice access to food-grade diatomaceous earth (DE). Average intake was three ounces per cow per day. After six months the following results were observed:
Milk production in the test group increased over 20% with butter-fat content remaining the same.
Warbles problems came to an abrupt halt.
Feed assimilation improved and fly problems were brought under control.
FIELD REPORT - FEEDING FOOD-GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH TO DAIRY COWS
J. S. Bunker
Bunker Farms, Mesa, Arizona
After feeding 100 dairy cows on DE for approximately one year, the following results were noted:
warbles became non-existent;
fly nuisance almost completely disappeared;
odors were almost completely gone;
cows have better hair and coat condition and have no desire to lick soil as in the past;
vet bills have been significantly reduced;
butterfat content has risen from 503 lbs. per cow to 513 lbs. per cow.
FIELD REPORT - FEEDING OF FOOD-GRADE DIATOMACEOUS EARTH TO DAIRY COWS
Daniel M. Brandt
McFarland, Wisconsin
Results from feeding 5 to 6 ounces of food-grade diatomaceous earth to dairy herd for a period of five weeks:
Butterfat tests have shown an increase of 3.7 to 3.9;
mastitis, which had been quite a severe problems, came under control (no new cases);
cows are brighter and healthier in appearance;
milk production has increased without an appreciable increase in feed.
-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), December 27, 2001.
Rogo, In the field observations regarding dairy cows they don't mention the effect of the DE on internal parasites. I wonder if they were using a standard wormer on these animals as well. Can we find out? I don't believe I used as much as these people did when I tried it on my cows. I would gladly use it if it worked - I hate pumping chemicals into my girls. There's still the inhalation problem though, you know how cows huff and puff while eating. Guess it could be mixed with molasses or something, but that would be a huge pain.
-- Joe (botaur2@yahoo.com), December 28, 2001.
Joe, I believe the deworming for the bovine wasn't mentioned since it was a given. They were showing the other benefits.I have bovine, equine, swine and fowl. I discovered DE back in the '70's. Many of us free feed the DE to our stock, others feed it daily by measurement. Mine eat it out of a bucket. The stock have never had a problem. I've found that some days my critters consume more than other days ~ they know what they need.
To feed daily, the critters should get at least 2% of their feed. I mix it into the feed for my chooks. The hoppers each hold 25 pounds, so it's 25 x .02 = 1/2 pound. One cup is 5 ounces of DE. I round it off and mix in 2 cups of DE.
I have a donkey who used to eat dirt. I knew he needed some mineral, but before I had a chance to have the vet do some tests, I started feeding DE, which is loaded with trace minerals. The donkey quit eating dirt. I STILL don't know what mineral he needed! -LOL-
I don't grain my large livestock and wouldn't give them molasses. I ride and drive my large livestock. To get the dogs to eat the DE, I mix it with corn oil. Dogs over 35 pounds get 1 tablespoon daily; under 35 pounds (and also cats) get 1 teaspoon daily.
We all do what we feel is best for our critters. I feel I had some real good teachers way back when. My total program has worked very well for all my stock. No sickness, very healthy critters.
P.S. I have never purchased a critter from an auction, swap meet, show, folks I don't know, etc.
-- ~Rogo (rogo2020@yahoo.com), December 28, 2001.