Yesterday we had a visitor expected, he was the previous owner of Thelma and Connie, he brought me a tub of white powder
Not sure what to make of this gift until he explained to me what it was
DE powder (Diatomaceous earth) I had often come across this being mentioned in various circles but never seen it and asumed it would be earth coloured.
Here is an extract from Wikipedia
diatomaceous earth consists of fossilized remains of diatoms, a type of hard-shelled algae. It is used as a filtration aid, mild abrasive in products including metal polishes and toothpaste, mechanical insecticide, absorbent
for liquids, matting agent for coatings, reinforcing filler in plastics
and rubber, anti-block in plastic films, porous support for chemical
catalysts, cat litter, activator in blood clotting studies, a stabilizing component of dynamite, and a thermal insulator.
Here is another extract off the web
All livestock, Horses, Cows, Pigs, Sheep, Goats, Rabbits, Chickens and
others will benefit from the use of Diatomaceous Earth. It is completely
safe and nontoxic. Some of the benefits are; Control of fleas and
ticks, stimulates basic metabolism, converts feed better, reduces odor
and moisture in barns and stalls, results in better coat and hoof
condition, keeps fly larvae from developing in manure, noticeably
reducing the fly population, reduces annual vet bills, controls worms
and internal parasites without chemicals, better egg production,
stronger eggs, and reduces overall animal stress. Diatomaceous Earth can
be mixed right in with the animals feed.
I am now trying DE powder on all our livestock including Sol.
If there is anyone else using it let me know :-)
Yesterday we had the smallest of the ducks we had prepared, along with a couple of these
Globe Artichokes, cooked in boiling water for 15 mins and drizzled with melted butter, there is a lot of them coming on I dont expect we will get round to eating them all, buts thats alright when the heads open up to revel there lovely thistle like flowers the bees will enjoy them. They are a perennial plant so there will be plenty more next year.
Martin got the holes dug for my two very special fir trees, and managed to get them out of the half barrels for me, they should start to put on a lot of growth now I have had them for 8 years and watched them grow from little spindle trees.
The half barrels I am going to re-use at the end of the drive planted up with bulbs for spring and some geraniums in summer. I want to re-paint the metal rims first, once planted they will be too heavy t move I might pop in a few soalr lights as well to show our entrance.
Today I popped out and met up with another small holder who moved to the area 10 months ago and came from just 7 miles away from were we lived, she is a goat keeper it will be handy to know some-one I can call on for advice, speaking of goats Thelma and Connie are settling in, this evening when I walked Sol I collected a load of Willow Bay Herb for them and had them eating from my hand, all steps in the right direction :-)
I used diatomaceous earth powder on the chickens when they had red mite. It seems to help with the mites. I also sprinkled it in their bedding and into their dust bath. Along with other methods, I seem to have finally got on top of the mutes and my ladies are back to full laying capacity.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had artichoke since being in France - it was lovely dipped in butter :)
when the poultry houses get cleaned out end of the week I will be sprinkling some about :-)
DeleteI use it mostly for the chickens. It is also good to sprinkle around bee hives that are gettign attacked by ground pests or have hive beetle larva under them. I use it the most in the chicken nests and when the flies are bad will sprinkle some in the barn floor.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea for the bee hive area thanks :-)
DeleteAn American penpal of mine used to swear by DE. She used it to worm her animals and keep fleas down too. It does seem to tick a lot of boxes and I'll be interested to see what benefits you get from using it.
ReplyDeleteGood news about the other new smallholder who keeps goats. Glad to hear that yours enjoy their little treats.
I think it has been more wildly used over the pond and is now making more inroads here :-)
DeleteIt's certainly an education reading blogs. People like you teach us so much. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI am always open to learn from others and take advice, to me thats all part of it :-)
DeleteSo very interesting...be amazing to see the benefits. Never heard of it before...sounds a wonderful thing, ....I love the names you have picked for your goats....
ReplyDeleteIf I can eradicate some of the use of lots of the commerical chemicals I will be happy :-)
DeleteI add a teaspoon of DE to the food bowls of the dogs. Our springer spaniel can't have wormers and DE has kept him worm free for over two years. The two rottweiller girls have also kept worm free, and they really do eat a lot of stuff they shouldn't!
ReplyDeleteI also sprinkle DE on their beds to keep the fleas down. DE is also sprinkled along the walls of the half barn, which has exposed stone walls and seems to get full of insects. The DE acts as a barrier.
I have tried DE for myself, but did not notice a difference to my health, but perhaps I did not give it a long enough trial. I think you have to take it for several months for it to take effect.
I do not give DE to the animals as yet, although will give it to the chickens when we have the chicken hut done. I shall also use it as a deterrent to mites for them.
Nice to hear that you have found another smallholding friend. We feel the lack of anyone of the same mind set as us here in France. I hope this changes for us. Meanwhile fellow bloggers fill that gap!
and I sprinkle DE on to their beds for
I want to use in bedding as well and rub some into the Alpacas as they dont really sleep on bedding :-)
DeleteDiatomaceous earth is good for alpaca's too :) :https://pacapride.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/dirt-of-sand-ag-lime-and-diatomaceous-earth-and-adding-dirt-to-fodder-mats/
ReplyDeleteEveryone has had a dose this morning just mixed in there food it will be easier to do everyone at the same time rather than try to remember who has what and when :-)
DeleteWhere could we buy some of this white powder - I wonder whether it would be good for my hens. I love globe artichokes and have always wondered what they tasted like - now I might venture to buy a couple and see.
ReplyDeleteI have just ordered some human grade De powder off Amazon, I was advised to go for the human grade :-)
DeleteI've never heard of Diatomaceous earth, it sounds like miracle stuff, a help in so many ways.
ReplyDeleteAlso use human grade to control fleas and worms for my cats.
ReplyDeleteI use DE on my cats too! They suffer from harvest mites towards the end of summer each year, which there is no treatment for. This lessens their scratching and discomfort - I just puff it all over them and rub it in. It seems to work!
ReplyDeleteFor the very best eating qualities, you should harvest your artichokes before they start to open up,
ReplyDeleteI use the powder when I clean the chickens out but not kn their feed. I love artichokes with melted butter. One veg where you seem to end up with more than you started with!
ReplyDeleteWhen the barrels are all painted and planted up and have their lights they will make a great entrance to your property! xx
ReplyDelete