Diatomaceous Earth

Does anyone use DE as a feed supplement for poultry? or for human consumption? Just looking for feed-back.

I don't use it as a feed supplement as "I read" that it does not work once digested as the saliva/liquid in the stomach dissolves the fossilized animal and is of no use at that point. However, I am back on to using it sparingly on the roosts and in the coop litter as a deterrent only from unwanted mites and lice. And I stress 'sparingly', as I would be concerned about the birds respiratory system if they were constantly inhaling it. So far I have seen no negative side effects after two years of using it. If the birds have mites and/or lice it has not been my experience that it is effective in any way and one has to pull out the 'big guns'.

That's my input!

I use feed grade DE in the dust baths and in all nest boxes and on the floor, no problems at all, I also mix it in the feed about 2 times a month, it works to kill internal parasites, it is also used on horses and cattle and all othe farm animals as well as the dogs and cats. I fond out about it from a cattle farmer that uses no mediations at all and uses it to worm all of his cattle.

The owner of the abattoir I use recommends giving turkey poults a wet mash with diatomaceous earth added first thing in the morning as a preventative for Blackhead.

Here's a link to some information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth

I have been using it since this spring for all my critters. I heard about it last year and a lot of people swear by it.
I put it in the feeds of all my birds. I mix it in with there grain feed and I had been putting it in their dusting pits. I also have been mixing it in with oats for my sheep. Is it working? I don't know, maybe! I don't do any other form of deworming for my birds other than giving them pumpkins in the fall. I never really had any problems with lice or anything, as I also hang those pest strip things in the coop, so I don't know for sure if it is doing anything there either. One thing I have noticed though, every year when the birds make that transition to being locked up from free ranging all summer when the weather starts turning cold, I would have by now lost one or two birds. However, this year, knock on wood, I haven't lost a one so far! Is it because of this "VOODOO" dirt? I would have to wait and see another year to be sure.
I am curious to hear from other people that do use it for their livestock. I wonder how much they give to the animals and what exactly they are achieving by feeding it to them!?!?