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:
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.
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.
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.