Diatomaceous earth is a valuable mineral for agriculturists to improve farm life for animals and for themselves. This unique mineral has a high porosity, is inorganic, and has an impressive absorptive capacity. Here are a few ways to use diatomaceous earth on the farm:

1. In Animal Feed

Diatomaceous Earth improves the flowability and mixability of animal feed. In a silo, wet grain, corn, and other types of feed will often stick together in clumps; adding diatomaceous earth helps to dry it out, break it up, and keep it from sticking in the silo. Plus, it is a natural way to protect your animals from contracting worms.

2. As a Dust Bath

Use diatomaceous earth as a dry bath for chickens to treat for mites, lice, and other parasites. All you have to do is add it to your current dust bath mixture.

You can also use it to help control fleas on dogs and reduce parasites in horses, pigs, and other farm animals.

3. In the Coop

When added to a chicken coop, diatomaceous earth absorbs bedding moisture for a better living environment for the chickens, and it controls odor to create a better environment for you to work in. Plus, it is used as a desiccant to make it more difficult for pests to thrive.

Why Use Diatomaceous Earth?

Natural Pest Control:

Diatomaceous earth can be used as a feed-through or topically to combat both internal and external worms and parasites.

When it comes into contact with a pest, diatomaceous earth pierces the exoskeleton and dehydrates the insect. This makes it an effective treatment for pests such as fleas, ticks, chicken lice, ants, and cockroaches.

Diatomaceous earth is also useful as a fly deterrent. When applied to a livestock’s coat, it absorbs excess moisture and oils that would otherwise attract the flies.

Natural Preservative:

Diatomaceous earth’s porous nature enables it to absorb moisture from stored feed that might otherwise lead to rot or mold. It also prevents moisture-induced clumping, improving the flowability and mixibility of the feed.

Healthier Livestock:

Diatomaceous earth offers a number of benefits to livestock when added to feed. It promotes immune system, digestive, and intestinal health and weight gain in livestock as well as supporting a shinier, fuller, and healthier coat and stronger hooves.

When taken internally, diatomaceous earth reduces manure odor and adds nutrients back to pastures, boosts water retention, and improves pasture quality and feed conversion.