Aaron":1ywwiejp said:Someone else like Randi or RR can probably comment more on this. The main idea behind selling DE was to feed it to calves to get them from eating dirt as young calves.
What is the point of having them not eating dirt?
Aaron":1ywwiejp said:Someone else like Randi or RR can probably comment more on this. The main idea behind selling DE was to feed it to calves to get them from eating dirt as young calves.
hillsdown":3dd9es5m said:Thanks for the pic, now where does one get those plastic barrels ?
hillsdown":3j37vd76 said:I am using Cargill Right Now bronze free range beef mineral it has 11.5% calcium and 10.0% phosphorous. I was using the onyx but that is just too expensive now.
The diatomaceous earth is to be given free choice to your calves and they will always find it. They say the cows do not like it but that is not true so you should put it in a feeder where only the calves have access to it. My bag says product of USA so I am sure you can get it anywhere in the states. I go through at least 1 50lb bag a year and the bag costs around 20 dollars.
Dun it is not the dirt so much as the manure in or around the dirt that you do not want the calves licking..You know how new babies are always licking anything and everything. So the earth just makes them go to it instead of dirt with cow sh#t and it fills whatever need they have for licking the ground all the time. ;-) I have not had a single case of coccidiosis since I have been using it.
Thanks for the pic, now where does one get those plastic barrels ?
I will also add that when they go out to pasture they do not get DE anymore it is just used when I am feeding hay in feeders..
I think I might be able to get a couple of barrels from the neighbors dairy. They would have remnants of soap or milk line acid but nothing that a good scrubbing won't get out.
Aaron":1xmwob9w said:I'd switch minerals HD. Find something with a real 2:1 ratio for calcium to phosphorus (ie. 16% : 8%). You should notice a dramatic decrease in intake by the cows. It is the calcium they are craving...and they have to consume a lot of 1:1 mineral to get it. :cowboy:
zman6133":3f470r2t said:Just a question....is this the same stuff they use to filter pool water?
We do that too.travlnusa":lxohbwxw said:I have found that salt it the determing factor in mineral intake. To little salt they over eat, to much, the undereat.
This is why I have my mineral mixed with the salt in the loose mineral I buy.
Not saying good for all, but it works for me.