Asprin Added to Water in Hot Weather?

[CountryChic63]

Hello, I've read that its good to add Asprin to chickens water when its hot out.
Well, here in Indiana, the temps are going from a comfortable 72° last week to 100° this week.
Does Asprin help? If so, how?
Thanks!

 

[azygous]

Interesting. I had never heard of using aspirin to counter heat stress in poultry, but it turns out it is a thing. Here is one of those esoteric scientific papers describing a study done on broiler chickens under hot weather conditions, feeding them aspirin at 500mg per kg of body weight. It appears the Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) helps regulate the body thermostat and reverses the effect of stress hormones caused by heat stress. It's not meant to treat heat stroke, though, just make chickens more efficient and comfortable during very hot weather.

https://www.researchgate.net/public...hnical_molecular_and_physio-biochemical_tools

 

[EddieSalita]

It sounds like internet logic based on theory rather than evidence. Salicylic acid has an antipyretic effect on chickens.
Which would be a similar logic to a human taking a paracetamol to cope with a hot day better. I'm not sure it works that way.
I don't actually know per se, I'm not a doctor or vet. But I know working in heat..... and ive never heard the one that goes; take a paracetamol for a hot day.... its better than electrolytes, or lots of water, or go for a swim, or eat an ice block. Very pleased to be proven wrong however. I've a feeling I'm guessing just as much as the person who came up with the idea now.....

I'd have thought it would be more useful to provide avian electrolytes if you really wanted to administer something. They are readily available.

There is a heap of threads on here regarding tips to cope with heat well over 100f. My favourites are: misting system, shallow puddle/dish of water in the shade to stand in, wetting the ground under heavy shade and breeze, frozen foods.

Some people use baking soda as a source of sodium in home made electrolytes....... Sodium bicarbonate. So my guess is the 'chemical' is Na+

I'm also guessing the fluid build up is lactic acid or some sort of lactic acid build up effect. Which Na+ would indeed benefit.

The primary electrolytes consist of: potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium. In the right form and proportions.

 

[bevis]

JM2C, I'd rather use methods like fans / misters / ANYTHING other and pharma stuff. But thats just me.

 

[SourRoses]

Baking soda replenishes the chemical.

What chemical?

@azygous @Wyorp Rock @U_Stormcrow Any idea what chemical we should be concerned about?

 

[McChooky]

Drug interactions with aspirin in chickens

https://poultrydvm.com/drugs/aspirin

 

[azygous]

Aspirin is a blood thinner, and there's a risk of bleeding, small, but it exists. I would prefer to use good old safe electrolytes in water. It would provide a safer defense against heat stress.

But to get the dosage right, you would need to calculate the total weight of your flock and then estimate how much water they drink in a day, then add 500mg of aspirin per each kilogram of body weight of your flock. If you're math averse, it's better to just use electrolytes on very hot days.

If you are terrible at math, do not try this at home.

 

[Mason Farm and Ranch]

Hello, I've read that its good to add Asprin to chickens water when its hot out.
Well, here in Indiana, the temps are going from a comfortable 72° last week to 100° this week.
Does Asprin help? If so, how?
Thanks!

I don't know about Aspirin, we add baking soda.

When chickens get hot, they pant and it depletes a specific chemical. It causes their lungs to build up fluid and they die.

Baking soda replenishes the chemical.

 

[Mason Farm and Ranch]

What chemical?

@azygous @Wyorp Rock @U_Stormcrow Any idea what chemical we should be concerned about?

https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/201...ice any of,to prevent acidosis from occurring.

 

[McChooky]

Aspirin is a blood thinner, and there's a risk of bleeding, small, but it exists. I would prefer to use good old safe electrolytes in water. It would provide a safer defense against heat stress.

But to get the dosage right, you would need to calculate the total weight of your flock and then estimate how much water they drink in a day, then add 500mg of aspirin per each kilogram of body weight of your flock. If you're math averse, it's better to just use electrolytes on very hot days.

If you are terrible at math, do not try this at home.

Considering chickens will bleed when they lay ex large eggs it might not be a good idea for layers even if the dose is right. Theres also the possibility of one being injured while having aspirin in their system which would make it lose more blood.