Diatomaceous Earth in Animal Feed: Easy Measurement Formula

With so many suggested measurements available online, it can be difficult to determine how much Red Lake Diatomaceous Earth (RLE) to mix into your animals’ feed. We recommend adding RLE at a rate of no more than 2% of your animals’ daily intake of feed. This amount can be added to feed daily. Most consumers follow this 2% ratio however cattle and horse owners often use a 1% ratio or even ½%.

While we do not have a set of definite measurements for each type of animal, the following formula can help you determine how much Red Lake Earth to mix into your feed.

Diatomaceous Earth as a Bug Repellent?

The use of food grade diatomaceous earth as a natural pest control product is quickly becoming popular, with many people drawn to DE due to the fact that it is safe and natural. In order for the product to effectively kill insects, they must come in contact with it. When they crawl across the DE, the insect’s outer shell is lacerated by the sharp particles of the diatomaceous earth and the powdery substance dehydrates and kills them. In fact, the calcium bentonite that is contained in Red Lake Earth contributes to this desiccation process.

While it is not registered as a pest control product, many people use Red Lake Earth for this purpose. They sprinkle the product in any areas where pests may be, in order to kill them. However, in her book, Going Green Using Diatomaceous Earth How To Tips, Tui Rose discusses the use of diatomaceous earth as an insect repellant.

Diatomaceous Earth and Chickens: Common Uses and Application Methods

While Red Lake Earth (RLE) is currently only registered as an anti-caking agent and flow aid for use in livestock feed, many customers have found various other effective uses for the product.

With so much information available on the web it can be hard to get a concise answer as to how diatomaceous earth products are commonly used with chickens. This article encompasses the most common uses of diatomaceous earth for chickens, providing a guide to help you discover new possible ways to use DE.

In Chicken Feed

The Benefits: Red Lake Diatomaceous Earth is meant to be mixed in livestock feed as an anti-caking agent and flow aid. What this means is that the product prevents grain and feed from clumping together, as well as helping to lubricate feed materials being compressed into pellets.

Application: Red Lake Earth can be mixed into feed (on a daily basis) at a rate of 2% of the animals’ total diet.

New Rules for the Use of Antibiotics in Animal Feed?

For many years antibiotics have been used freely in animal feed, not only for medical purposes but also as a growth stimulant.

However, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) believes that the overuse of common antibiotics in animal feed is endangering human health. This overuse may minimize the effectiveness of these drugs in humans and, as predicted by the FDA, has created superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics.

In the past the FDA began proceedings to ban certain antibiotics however, the process was never completed. Now a federal judge has ordered that the FDA withdraw approval for the use of common antibiotics, such as penicillin and tetracycline (which are often used to promote growth in animals), in animal feed.

Non-therapeutic use of antibiotics will be withdrawn unless the companies that manufacture the drugs are able to prove that their use is safe. If these companies are able to provide evidence suggesting that the use of antibiotics for these purposes is safe then the ban will not be placed.

This ruling will not affect the use of antibiotics in animal feed for disease prevention.

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Equine Herpesvirus-1: The Facts

Equine Herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is a common virus found in horses worldwide. Recently, the neurological form of equine herpesvirus, Equine Herpesvirus Myelitis (EHM), was confirmed in horses in Ontario and California. As a horse owner, it is important to understand the virus, its signs and how it is transmitted. Below are some important facts.

• EHV-1 causes respiratory diseases, abortion and can lead to Equine Herpesvirus Myelitis (EHM), the neurological form of equine herpesvirus.
• The first case of Equine Herpesvirus Myelitis (EHM), the neurological form of equine herpesvirus, was reported in 1885 and is most commonly reported in North America and Europe.
• The neurological form of equine herpesvirus, Equine Herpesvirus Myelitis, usually affects the hindquarters and urinary tract. Signs can include lack of coordination, incontinence, and bladder distension. As well, severely affected horses may lie down and not be able to get back up or sot in a dog-like position.
• Once infected, a horse can remain infected with EHV-1 for the rest of its life and may be able to pass the infection to other horses.
• Signs of EHV-1 include fever, respiratory disease, cough and nasal discharge however, testing is required to confirm the illness.

Diatomaceous Earth at the Movies?

New and creative uses for food grade diatomaceous earth are constantly being developed by our consumers. While we have not been able to conduct in-depth studies on all of these applications, customers have found that Absorbent Products Ltd.’s (APL) Diatomaceous Earth works well for pest control, as an additive in their pet’s feed and have even sprinkled it in the walls of their homes during construction to protect against termites and other pests.

However, one of the most interesting uses that we have come across is the use of our DE on film sets. Due to the product’s grayish color and the fact that it is natural, not harmful to the environment and safe to be used around people and animals, APL’s Diatomaceous Earth is often used by production companies for special effects such as sandstorms, set aging and explosions!

If you have found an interesting use for our DE or any of our other products, please let us know!

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Diatomaceous Earth as a Soil Amendment?

Many individuals use food grade diatomaceous earth in their gardens as a natural pest control substance. However, many studies have been conducted to analyze the effect that DE has as a soil amendment.

These studies have shown promising results, suggesting that diatomaceous earth can significantly enhance nutrient retention and moisture retention in soil.

In fact, a study conducted at Southern Cross University in Australia tested soils amended with fertilizer and various rates of DE, with the fertilizer acting as a control substance. The study found that with the addition of DE, the nutrient level of the soil was significantly improved and the leaching of any fertilizer was greatly reduced. The results of this study indicate that the addition of DE to soil amended with fertilizer can allow for more efficient use of fertilizer and reduce the impact that fertilizer has on the environment through leaching.

As a result of this study, it was also discovered that DE improved the retention of moisture in potting mix, soil and sandy soil by holding a greater bulk quantity of water and drying at a slower rate. In fact, it has been shown that the addition of DE to soil can increase drought resistance when added to the sand of golf putting greens.

Do you find that Red Lake Diatomaceous Earth works well as a soil amendment? Share your story.

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Diatomaceous Earth for Grape Growing?

Many people find food grade diatomaceous earth to be a helpful soil amendment that works well to retain moisture and nutrients in soil. While the product is not currently registered for this use, there have been many studies conducted to explore the possible benefits of the addition of DE to soil. In fact, a study conducted in Australia concluded that diatomaceous earth showed significant benefits when used in growing grapes. Diatomaceous earth was mixed in to the soil at a rate of 100kg/ha (approximately 88lb/acre) and yielded the following results:

• Increased water holding capacity
• Better uptake of calcium and phosphorous in the grape vines
• Bigger V-shaped bunches
• Hardier grapes with reduced fruit split
• Increased size of root zones
• Higher soil organic carbon levels
• Reduced requirement for superphosphate
• Increased silicon levels
• Increase in plant available Calcium, Phosphorous, Magnesium and Potassium levels at early growth stage as well as increased Potassium levels at flowering and Magnesium levels at post harvest

Please note: as food grade diatomaceous earth is not currently registered for human consumption, it is important to thoroughly wash any foods meant for human consumption that may have come in contact with DE.

Let us know how you use diatomaceous earth and what results you have seen!

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Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth: A New Construction Material?

While many people find food grade diatomaceous earth a very useful form of pest control to use around their homes and in their gardens, some individuals have become very creative in their attempt to protect their homes from insects. Recently, individuals have informed us that they have applied DE not only around the perimeter of their homes, basements and attics but that they have also sprinkled diatomaceous earth in the walls of their homes during construction, in an attempt to deter termites and other crawling insects! In fact, customers who applied food grade diatomaceous earth in the walls of their home over 8 years ago have seen great results and have never had a termite problem!

Red Lake Earth is not yet registered for use as a natural insecticide but individuals have found it to be very effective for this purpose. In a world where sustainability is key, individuals prefer to use this natural method of insect control in order to minimize their impact on the environment.

We love to learn about your creative uses for this amazing product and to hear about the results that you have seen! Please share your story!

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What is Thrush and How Can Diatomaceous Earth Help?

Thrush is a bacterial infection of the spongy, triangular shaped part of a horses hoof called the frog.

Thrush can cause great pain to a horse and, if left untreated, can lead to lameness. Other signs of thrush in horses include tenderness in the heel region of the hoof, resistance to having his or her feet picked up and cleaned or inspected, uneven wear of the hoof wall and tattered or cracked frogs. In many cases thrush can also be identified by its pungent smell and dark discharge however, this is not always the case. In fact, many horse owners and vets miss the infection upon inspection.

Thrush is caused by wet, unhygienic stable conditions (although it can also thrive in the hoof in dry conditions – flourishing in tight cracks and deep grooves), poor hoof care, prolonged confinement, overgrown ragged frogs, and long, contracted or high heels which produce deep grooves in the horse’s hoof. It has been suggested that a dietary component may also play a role, as horses on high carbohydrate are often more likely to have thrush.