Collection: Fossil Shell Flour (feed additive)

Not all Diatomaceous Earth is the same.

Diatomaceous Earth packaged under our Fossil Shell Flour® label comes from a pure fresh water deposit of fossilized Aulacoseira diatoms created in the Miocene epoch.

Why is this diatom so special?

Its shell is made of amorphous silica. Its shape and hardness in the fossilized form keeps it from dissolving in liquid. The diatom’s tubular shape and holes along the diatom's wall allow it to absorb moisture which makes it useful as an anti-caking agent.  The tubular shape of the diatom gives it more surface area than other diatoms. This lends to a greater absorptive capacity improving the mixing and flow of animal feed. Fossil Shell Flour® does not swell, does not absorb nutrients and poses no long-term hazard when used as an anti-caking agent in your animal's feed.  Fossil Shell Flour ® consists of 89% (and often more) Silicon Dioxide plus numerous trace minerals. Fossil Shell Flour® is almost pure white when dry and appears light tan when wet. Other diatomaceous earth deposits often contain an excess of a particular mineral such as iron or a high percentage of clay giving it a darker color or a reddish tint. 

Fresh water vs. salt water Diatomaceous Earth

Fresh water deposits like ours have a consistent diatom presence. Their fossilized shells have maintained their tubular shape. This shape and strength of the fossil shell is critical to its effectiveness. Our deposit has 89 - 92 percent amorphous silica content. This deposit is also more consistent in its purity. A freshwater deposit is confined to the runoff water of its surrounding environment. A freshwater deposit in the mountains, such as ours, formed from snow runoff and provided the water source these diatoms lived in. Due to their open environment, saltwater deposits contain a mix of types of diatoms of different shapes that provide fossilized shells that are less consistent, fragile and break easily. This renders them less effective.

What's the difference between amorphous and crystalline silica?

Amorphous silica is silica in its natural occurring state. It is a trace mineral every mammal on the planet needs to live. Diatoms are found in all water sources and are the main food for aquatic life.  Diatomaceous earth becomes crystalline when it is exposed to extreme heat, sometimes by commercial manufacturing means and in minute amounts through naturally occurring heat such as volcanic activity. The type of diatomaceous earth used in swimming pools and other filtration systems is crystalline silica that has been heated and chemically treated. Crystalline silica is extremely dangerous when inhaled or ingested. It is not biodegradable. Perma-Guard Diatomaceous Earth contains less than one half of 1% of crystalline silica and is considered GRAS (generally regarded as safe). OSHA considers safe levels of crystalline silica as 1% or less. Naturally occurring crystalline silica is found in all water sources and the dirt blowing in the air during dust storms.  Diatomaceous Earth is not sand (click here for article).

Common Uses for Fossil Shell Flour®

Fossil Shell Flour® is beneficial to add to bird seed and animal feed, such as sweet feed that contain sticky substances like molasses, or used and stored in areas of high humidity that cause the feed to clump. Fossil Shell Flour® used as an anti-caking agent improves the flow of sticky feeds. Fossil Shell Flour® mixed in the feed coats each particle, making it difficult for the particles to stick together.  Its ability to absorb excess moisture helps prevent feed from molding in high humidity conditions.  

Fossil Shell Flour® anti-caking agent is to be mixed at a rate not to exceed 2% of the dry weight of the ration. This means, when mixing, in every one hundred pounds of feed, 2 pounds of feed is replaced by 2 pounds of Fossil Shell Flour®. All regulated products are sold by the information on the label. 

Perma-Guard Fossil Shell Flour® is OMRI listed, Certified Kosher and is accepted for use in the Organic Certification process.

View product label: FOSSIL SHELL FLOUR®

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