How To Use Diatomaceous Earth In Livestock

Dr. Jolly Kabirizi 

• Sprinkle a little diatomaceous Earth on the livestock feed daily. This is a great dewormer!
• Carefully sprinkle onto your livestock’s coats – making sure none is inhaled – for protection from lice, ticks and fleas. Causes healthier animal coats and hooves.
• Sprinkle in your barn and stalls for pest protection.
• Only feed Diatomaceous earth to calves that are eating solid feeds. 

The recommended ratio for mixing fine diatomaceous earth: Research recommends adding 2% to 5% of the weight of your cow’s feed that they receive either in addition to or instead of grazing. 

Mixing fine diatomaceous earth into dry feed 

• Mix the measured amount of diatomaceous earth into the portion of dry feed or alternatively, you can when you buy a new bag of dry feed calculate 2%-5% of the weight of the bag and add the correct amount of diatomaceous earth to the entire bag. 
• Be sure to mix well to ensure the diatomaceous earth is evenly spread. Repeat this with every new feed bag. 
• By adding diatomaceous earth to the bag, you get the added bonus that insects like ants and weevils that can get into the feed are deterred as it is like a natural preservative, which thanks to its amazing moisture absorbing power keeps feed fresher for longer.
• Every time you feed your cattle be sure to shake the bag as the Diatomaceous Earth will settle at the bottom of the bag with time. 
• Some cows can be quite picky and sceptical about the fine white power that has suddenly appeared in their feed. Put the portion of feed in a bucket, add the Diatomaceous Earth according to that potion weight and add a little water or molasses to the bucket and stir thoroughly.

Storage: Diatomaceous earth should be stored in an airtight container. Diatomaceous earth water and humidity don’t mix from a storage perspective and keeping your diatomaceous earth dry until use will be beneficial to its efficacy and long-term storage.