Increase Body Weight and Decrease Mortality Rates in Poultry with Red Lake Diatomaceous Earth
A study conducted at the University of Saskatchewan concluded that Red Lake Diatomaceous Earth may improve growth rates, feed efficiency and decrease mortality rates when supplemented into the diets of poultry.
The following graphs depict the observed results:
Result: Mortality is reduced in repsonse to the RLE
Result: RLE increased growth rate in birds
In the study, male broilers were fed Red Lake Earth at three treatment levels – 0.5%, 1% and 2% DE, with the test group being fed a diet containing 0% Red Lake Diatomaceous Earth.
The study states that, “Based on 10,000 birds, feed costs of $200/tonne and a market value of the birds of $1.15/kg, supplementing 1% Red Lake Earth in to the diets of poultry can provide over 150 extra birds to market for every 10,000 placed. This translates in to an additional profit of $600.00 per 10,000 birds, a 5 % increase in income after costs and expenses.”
Overall, the study found that supplementing Red Lake Earth into the diets of poultry improved weight gain and feed efficiency while lowering mortality rates, resulting in lower costs and higher returns.
Red Lake Earth is a natural product with the added benefit of calcium bentonite and is OMRI registered for use in organic production.
Image by Gina Pina
I have 16 hens, 2 roosters,3chicks 2weeks old, how do I feed this to them.I don’t understand how to.( 2%)
Thanks in advance
Lidia R.
February 6, 2012 at 10:22 pm
Hi Lidia,
Most often people will mix the Red Lake Diatomaceous Earth into their chicken feed. Two percent works out to be approximately 1 tsp of DE per cup of food. Simply sprinkle the DE on top of the feed and mix it in.
Chickens also enjoy using Red Lake Earth as a dust bath (which is helpful, as RLE is known to help control mites, ticks, fleas and other crawling insects). Pouring Red Lake Earth into a tray or litter box or simply sprinkling it on the ground where your chickens usually dust themselves will work for this purpose. As well, chickens will often eat DE that is sprinkeld on the ground therefore you could use this method if you would prefer to feed them and supply the powder for dusting at the same time.
February 7, 2012 at 10:46 am