Diatomaceous Earth for Poultry
The use of diatomaceous earth in chicken feed has been shown to provide many benefits. While food grade diatomaceous earth is not registered for anything other than use as an anti-caking agent or pelleting aid, it has shown to be effective for various other purposes and to provide benefits beyond what is suggested by producers.
Food grade diatomaceous earth is popular as both a food additive and dusting substance for poultry.
Most farmers add approximately 2-3 tablespoons of food grade diatomaceous earth per day to their chicken’s feed (note: the DE is not to exceed 2% of the chickens total feed). For use with dusting, the diatomaceous earth is most commonly sprinkled in areas where the poultry naturally dust themselves.
Independent use of Red Lake Earth Diatomaceous Earth as a duster has shown that the product is capable of working as a natural insecticide and riding poultry of fleas, lice and ticks.
Studies regarding diatomaceous earth as a feed additive have also shown many positive results.
C.S. Mangen, DVM, San Diego conducted a study using two groups of 8,000 white leghorn layers. The test group was fed 60 lbs of diatomaceous earth per 1 ½ tons of standard feed for 2 ½ months.
The independent study concluded that:
- There appeared to be less flies around the test group
- Their droppings were dryer
- There were 75% less deaths in the test group
- Egg production among the test group increased by 2 to 4 cases per day
As well, the University of Saskatchewan conducted a study using Red Lake Earth Diatomaceous Earth with broiler chickens and found that the chickens experienced weight gains and a lower rate of mortality. They also found that feed consumption was lower and there was a better feed to grain ratio.
Studies have also shown that the egg-shell thickness of poultry that have been fed diatomaceous earth may increase by up to 10%.
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