MWilliams
Member
A buddy of mine and I use DE mixed in with Redmond mineral to worm our cattle and it seems to be working very well. I was wondering if anyone else has ever tried it.
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Kingfisher":1b824r7o said:My buddy tried that with his goats....turned into a trainwreck that was expensive to clean up.
slick4591":1k6ri3dr said:Kingfisher":1k6ri3dr said:My buddy tried that with his goats....turned into a trainwreck that was expensive to clean up.
Do you mind explaining? Some of the chicken breeders swear by it, but what I've read the scientific community says it doesn't work.
Ouachita":1bk979i7 said:I guess everybodies mileage varies on this, but my wife and children do very well raising goats. They feed de, and also sprinkle the bedding areas and pens. They will use a high powered wormer on rare occassions, on a case by case basis. I can only recall a couple times in 12 years that they have treated the entire herd at one time. I know geography and climate play big in to this, as well as other management practices, but their system works. They have healthy animals. They don't choose this method for "organic" reasons. They simply use it, and when they need something better they use it. They have done it mostly because they enjoy learning, practicing, and perfecting their operation. They also enjoy teaching others.
To my knowledge, they have never done a fecal sample. After 12 years, a successful technique becomes self evident.
Lucky_P":1rqwor8q said:Sorry (actually, I'm not), but money folks spend on DE would probably be better spent buying some good mineral mix and some additional protein supplement.
Ouachita":3cm6e1xo said:I do not dispute an educated persons claim that may be contrary to what I think works in my world. I'm a sucker. Yes, it could be that our management practices are 100% of the reason we have so few parasite problems. I expect we could stop the de completely without a change. I'm also a sucker for some other old fashioned remedies. My household has not taken nor had the need for antibiotics for 17 years now. I'm the only one in the house who has a doctor, and thats for a congentital heart problem. We never get sick. Never. I can't argue with modern scientific evidence that something can't work.
I respect those of you who have been better educated and know the facts. I do.
I'm Glad the family has not needed antibiotics. Apparently you haven't had any infections to need any. But go a little easy on the "never get sick". Wouldn't want you to jinx yourself.Ouachita":2buzj33m said:I do not dispute an educated persons claim that may be contrary to what I think works in my world. I'm a sucker. Yes, it could be that our management practices are 100% of the reason we have so few parasite problems. I expect we could stop the de completely without a change. I'm also a sucker for some other old fashioned remedies. My household has not taken nor had the need for antibiotics for 17 years now. I'm the only one in the house who has a doctor, and thats for a congentital heart problem. We never get sick. Never. I can't argue with modern scientific evidence that something can't work.
I respect those of you who have been better educated and know the facts. I do.
I don't believe in jinx; that would be contrary to scientific data. I do appreciate the thought.TexasBred":14wf7wnw said:I'm Glad the family has not needed antibiotics. Apparently you haven't had any infections to need any. But go a little easy on the "never get sick". Wouldn't want you to jinx yourself.Ouachita":14wf7wnw said:I do not dispute an educated persons claim that may be contrary to what I think works in my world. I'm a sucker. Yes, it could be that our management practices are 100% of the reason we have so few parasite problems. I expect we could stop the de completely without a change. I'm also a sucker for some other old fashioned remedies. My household has not taken nor had the need for antibiotics for 17 years now. I'm the only one in the house who has a doctor, and thats for a congentital heart problem. We never get sick. Never. I can't argue with modern scientific evidence that something can't work.
I respect those of you who have been better educated and know the facts. I do.
If your are replying to me please re-read my first post on this topic. I'm not a greenie or organic type person. I do agree we may be giving our goats something that we may not need to be giving them. I'm only offering up our experience. We rarely use any commercial parasite control. You may be correct in that we may be trying to manage a problem that doesn't exist. I don't know. I am a simple man with very stubborn and rigid, but still simple ways. I cannot and will not depart from success. Thank you for your words, wisdom, and advice.snake67":e38dl28z said:I agree with Lucky on this one.
As we raise cattle AND sheep I can tell you from personal experience that fecals are the only way to be sure what is happening out the south end of a north bound animal. I know you know that but many do not. And, when they worm and there is no need to worm they believe they have solved a problem when there was no problem.
Organic guys try this but from personal experience and use I will say this.
We tossed the bag of D Earth under the table in the shop and returned to SafeGuard, Valbazan and a few others for sheep and the old tried and true pour on's for cattle.
Others can do as they wish but we are no longer interested in things that "may" work, "might" work and "sometimes" work.
When we do the work to prevent and kill parasites we want it to work "now" and we want it to work "fast" and we want it to last.
If anyone wants to come for a visit there is a free bag under the table in the shop to take home.
Cheers and best to all
Bez
Yes she is the "master"; of the goat herd :nod: Lucky, I will definitely consider your information and offer it up to my master and the kiddos. I'm almost certain they will, as with other reputable sources, consider eliminating de from the program. They will do this as an experiment, as they do many other management techniques. Thank you for your unbiased delivery of information.Lucky_P":3cmn68xi said:Ouachita,
I'm a proponent of a number of 'alternative' treatment modalities - acupuncture, lasers, some herbal medicines all have applications as adjuncts - and occasionally, as a replacement for - conventional treatments.
DE is not one.
Again, from your description of your family's flock, they're almost certainly benefiting from 'the watchful eye of the master(or mistress)', and not from DE.
That said, it's unlikely to cause any harm, except to your pocketbook as an unnecessary and useless purchase.