I have been studying feeds and feeding for some time now and, about 6 months ago, I started learning all I could about diatomaceous earth. This is a natural pesticide and has no ill effects when used with animals. Be sure to get the food grade diatomaceous earth because it has been approved by the FDA and USDA. (The pool grade and filter grade have not been approved as a feed additive and it may be harmful to use them and they will not accomplish the desired results) This will kill all internal and external parasites, aid in feed conversion, control flies by killing the larvae in manure, control odor, and promote better health and egg laying. This will also kill other insects in your garden, orchard, home, and lawn. It is great for controlling ants. I recently became a dealer for DE because it is all natural and there were no dealers in my area. This kills insects and parasites by cutting their exoskeleton and they dehydrate. It contains no poisons.

As we all know, humans are destroying our planet by using poisons for everything. Diatomaceous Earth is a safe alternative to using poisons to control insects and parasites. Every time we deworm our animals, we eventually will be eating these same poisons. We are using poisons in our homes and gardens and orchards. Where do you think these poisons are going to end up?

Everyone told me that I should worm my birds every spring so I went and bought 25 pounds of Ivomec (the type you mix in the feed) about two months ago. I didn't use this because I had been reading about DE and wanted to see if it worked. I was going to get 50 pounds and try it. That idea changed to 14000 pounds and a dealership. I still have the ivomec and will never use it. (Terrible huh) I don't believe in treating a disease without proof that the disease exists. My birds look great, grow great, lay great, and hatch great. I have never had any problems at all but I was about to break my rule and feed them ivomec. I am really glad I waited. I do believe in giving them the best care possible and the diatomaceous earth will control both internal and external parasites, flies and odors. It is also 100 percent natural with no withdrawal prior to slaughter and no side effects so I will use it from now on. Also, and this is very important, the parasites can not develop an immunity to it.

I am printing a few test results done by veterinarians. To save space I will type the name of the DVM and then on the next line, the condensed results. I will not send all I have because it will take too much space. If you want more, I can send them to you privately.

M.F. Petty D.V.M. Alabama -
Test on feeder pigs eliminated internal parasites in the test group in 7 days. Odor was noticeably less offensive after 21 days. Fly population decreased markedly after 6 weeks.

C.S. Mangen D.V.M. San Diego, Calif. -
Tests on laying chickens.....less flies...8000 chicken groups 75 percent less deaths DE use vs non DE use 2-4 case increase in egg production

O.C. Collins D.V.M. Midland Animal Clinic and Hospital, Midland, Tx -
Tests on dogs over 35 lbs. 1 tbs within 7 days all ova disappeared and under 35 lbs. 1 tsp daily from stools. This includes Ascarids, Hookworms, and Whipworms

G.L. Maddox Northside Hay Mill & Trading Company, Glendale, AR -
Tests on feeder steers Control DE purchase wt/head avg 650.20 686.80 sale wt/head avg 846.70 945.60 gain/head avg 196.50 258.80 gain/head/day avg 2.33 2.84 lbs feed/ lbs gain 9.78 8.23 cost/ lb gain avg 24.28 cents21.50 cents

I am sorry this is so long but I felt the info was important. If you want to learn more, call or email me and we will talk.

Below is a note I wrote when I first started using Diatomaceous Earth:
I just mixed 20 pounds of diatomaceous earth with 1000 pounds of feed and used the other 30 pounds in 7 pens for my ostriches to dust themselves with. It is unbelievable how quick the birds started creating a dust cloud. It is also unbelievable how far 30 pounds of diatomaceous earth will go. Anyone want to buy any white ostriches? I have been wanting to buy some but now I don't have to. I know adult birds know how to dust themselves and they love fine sand for this but I wouldn't have thought they would know what I put this in their pens for. I, also, would not have thought 2 week old ostriches were smart enough to immediately start dusting. They sit just like the older birds and rake their neck through the DE and throw it up onto their backs. You have to see them laying in the center of the diatomaceous earth and their little wings really going. Anyone who raises ratites has to try this at least once. If there was no health benefits for using DE, it would be worth the cost of one bag just to watch them. Be sure that you have time to watch when you use it the first time. If any of you have a hard time finding food grade diatomaceous earth, please contact me. You should find it less than 40 dollars total cost for 50 pounds shipped anywhere in the US (most locations are 36 dollars or less). I have seen it for as much as 3.99 per pound but you do not have to pay that much.

You may decide that it is in your best interest to become a dealer so you can get diatomaceous earth wholesale and get your product at a much lower cost while helping your neighbors quit using as many poisons. Call or email me for more information on finding or using food grade diatomaceous earth.

Below are some advantages for using food grade Diatomaceous Earth and some disadvantages for using the recommended poison:

1. No toxins- completely safe
2. Controls internal and external parasites
3. Mixed with feed it constantly attacks parasites
4. Better feed conversion
5. Odor & moisture control in the barns and pens
6. Fly larva are killed by (DE) left in the manure
7. Easy to feed
8. Decreased mortality
9. Can be used as a dust for external parasites
10.In cattle- increased milk production
11.In cattle- decreased mastitis
12.In food animals and dairy cattle- no withdrawal prior to use of products
13.Parasites and insects cannot build up resistence
14.Cost - for meat and milk animals it can be free to use assuming 4,8, and 10 are true

POULTRY AND SWINE
COMPETITIVE PRODUCT- PIPERAZINE

1. On the hit list of the FDA to be discontinued
2. Very toxic
3. Only kills internal parasites
4. Can only be used every 30 days
5. REINFESTATION BEGINS WITHIN 48 HOURS

SHEEP & GOATS
COMPETITIVE PRODUCT- TBZ

1. Not easy to dispense
2. Stress on animal
3. Not effective
4. Controls only internal parasites
5. REINFESTATION BEGINS WITHIN 48 HOURS

DOGS & CATS
COMPETITIVE PRODUCT- HARTZ WORMER- ONCE PER MONTH
1. Makes animal sick
2. Controls only internal parasites
3. REINFESTATION BEGINS WITHIN 48 HOURS

RATITES
COMPETITIVE PRODUCT- NONE APPROVED

HORSES
COMPETITIVE PRODUCT- IVERMECTIN
1. Cost- 11-12 dollars every 60 days for 1200 pound horse
2. Possibility of colic if overdosed
3. Cannot use animal for 48 hours after treatment
4. Parasites build up resistence
5. REINFESTATION BEGINS WITHIN 48 HOURS

BEEF CATTLE
COMPETITIVE PRODUCT- IVERMECTIN
1. Cost
2. Stress on herd to treat
3. Cost of labor to treat
4. Loss of gain due to stress
5. Toxic
6. Only kills internal parasites
7. 12 day withdrawal prior to slaughter
8. REINFESTATION BEGINS WITHIN 48 HOURS

DAIRY CATTLE
COMPETITIVE PRODUCT- SAFEGUARD OR IVERMECTIN
1. 10 day withdrawal prior to selling milk
2. Cost
3. Stress on animals
4. REINFESTATION BEGINS WITHIN 48 HOURS

The list could go on but you see many of the disadvantages of using your present products which contain poisons. Diatomaceous earth is all natural and is completely safe to use indoors or out. If you have trouble finding diatomaceous earth in your area, please contact me and I will see that you are able to buy it. I will be glad to help your feed dealer to stock it or help you to order it. I hope this helps you in your businesses.

Bill
Ridgewood Ratites
9282 Ridgewood Rd.
Henderson,KY 42420
http://www.oe1.com
(270)826-6239