Scratch & Peck Now Contains Diatomaceous Earth In Their Feeds

[Batzilla]

I was looking through the Scratch & Peck offerings on their website and noticed that their 18% layer feed now contains DE, and I think other feeds from them do as well. My last S&P 18% layer feed bag that I got a few weeks ago from my local feed store did not have DE listed in the ingredient list, so this must be a new thing? I prefer not to feed or use DE around my flock, so I am pretty disappointed that it is now an ingredient.

 

[nuthatched]

It's a very common ingredient to use as a anti-caking measure, typically less than 2%
It's not enough to remotely worry about.

 

[Batzilla]

It's a very common ingredient to use as a anti-caking measure, typically less than 2%
It's not enough to remotely worry about.

I don’t care if it is 99% or 1% of the feed, it is something I do not want in my feed and I know others feel the same way so I was sharing in case others were also not aware that it is now added to the feed.

I do appreciate your reply

 

[PoultrySister]

Why would you not want it? It is incredibly beneficial (calcium, anti-parasite, etc.).

 

[tlcmurphy]

Why would you not want it? It is incredibly beneficial (calcium, anti-parasite, etc.).

Very little calcium, mostly silica, and not anti-parasitic

 

[nuthatched]

Why would you not want it? It is incredibly beneficial (calcium, anti-parasite, etc.).

It's a respiratory irritant. Low calcium, does nothing for pests or parasites.

 

[aart]

so this must be a new thing?

The flock raiser I use added DE for a few summers years ago,
it's to cut down on grain mites(one of the very few pests that DE will help eliminate). Grain mites can totally take over whole pallets of feed.

 

[Batzilla]

Why would you not want it? It is incredibly beneficial (calcium, anti-parasite, etc.).

I am not convinced of any of these claims and I know DE can be a respiratory irritant. Seeing that feed is dusty enough as is, I don’t like the idea of added DE in my feed. Chickens have very different respiratory systems than mammals and while there have been studies that show mammal lungs can clear food-grade DE easily, I am not convinced on chicken air sacs being able to do so. I just feel it is an unproven, unnecessary additive that everyone is jumping on due to popularity among influencers and hearsay and I am disappointed to see it in S&P feeds.

 

[FeatherAndBloom]

I am not convinced of any of these claims and I know DE can be a respiratory irritant. Seeing that feed is dusty enough as is, I don’t like the idea of added DE in my feed. Chickens have very different respiratory systems than mammals and while there have been studies that show mammal lungs can clear food-grade DE easily, I am not convinced on chicken air sacs being able to do so. I just feel it is an unproven, unnecessary additive that everyone is jumping on due to popularity among influencers and hearsay and I am disappointed to see it in S&P feeds.

Hello! Would you please link to this item that lists DE in the ingredients? I use S&P starter mash, and was very content continuing to stick with the company for the future (organic, non-gmo, non-plastic packaging)... Now I am concerned after reading your post. But I can't seem to find DE listed anywhere on their online ingredient list. I also tried googling it and can't find anyone mentioning a change of recipe. Is it on the bag or listed on the website? Thanks!

 

[Blue Andalusian]

Why would you not want it? It is incredibly beneficial (calcium, anti-parasite, etc.).

Don't know much about DE, But works for Bugs in our Coop