Do you add supplements and or electrolytes?

[meghanshierling]

I live in Ms and the heat index here lately has been well Over °100.....I mix

I have put this in there water since I bought them at a week old and for the first few months......now they get it on really hot days and its been a big help. Gatorade is ok to use if you mix it 1/2 and 1/2 in water if you can't get any other electrolyte. Treats like yogurt and certain fruits are good in the heat too.

 

[meghanshierling]

I have lived on a chicken farm for 8 years and sometimes it doesn't hurt to mist there ground as well......then you get to watch them roll around on there newly cool ground

 

[Michael Apple]

I live in Ms and the heat index here lately has been well Over °100.....I mix
I have put this in there water since I bought them at a week old and for the first few months......now they get it on really hot days and its been a big help. Gatorade is ok to use if you mix it 1/2 and 1/2 in water if you can't get any other electrolyte. Treats like yogurt and certain fruits are good in the heat too.

Antibiotics should only be given to remedy symptoms of disease. All you are doing is weakening the chick's immune system by giving Tetracycline to them. You need to follow label instructions for products. Gatorade is not ok and has way too much high fructose corn syrup among other artificial ingredients. This is the same product which contained brominated vegetable oil, which is patented as a flame retardant, and banned in foods throughout Europe and Japan.

 

[meghanshierling]

Its seriously not going to hurt them......I was taught by an old southern Guy.......he used this stuff everyday in the summer and never had an issue

 

[Michael Apple]

Its seriously not going to hurt them......I was taught by an old southern Guy.......he used this stuff everyday in the summer and never had an issue

Yes, it will. I suggest you do some research
There are numerous studies regarding the validity of what I just told you. Here's one of many examples in regard to tetracycline antibiotics in poultry:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1265988/

I am an advocate of responsible use of antibiotics. They have their purpose, but overuse such as what this old Southern guy told you, will invite more health problems than benefits.

 

[tammyfarms]

I have two or three 2-week old chicks out of 18 that I puchased recently; they have developed a sneeze/head shaking action lately and from what I read, it may be soemthing respiratory - any idea if I add Apple Cider Vinegar to their water if it will help cure this problem ?

Windy Bay Farm, I don't see that anyone responded directly to you, sorry I have been distracted by storms power outages, etc... for two week old chicks, if you can get Sav-A-Chick it is a good vitamin that will boost their immune system. I see you are in Nova Scotia so I am not sure what is available up there.... How are they doing?

 

[tammyfarms]

I live in Ms and the heat index here lately has been well Over °100.....I mix
I have put this in there water since I bought them at a week old and for the first few months......now they get it on really hot days and its been a big help. Gatorade is ok to use if you mix it 1/2 and 1/2 in water if you can't get any other electrolyte. Treats like yogurt and certain fruits are good in the heat too.

Meghan, are you sure this is what he gave them and not the other yellow package that is electrolytes and vitamins? The same company makes both products.

 

[Michael Apple]

Durvet vitamins -electrolytes contain a high percentage of salt. There are much better products out there.

 

[danib]

I was giving my chickens Bragg's ACV in their water but now they're using chicken nipples, and I don't want ACV going through the metal nipples. So, what should I do to replace their having ACV? They love yogurt, but chickens can't really process dairy sugar, so they shouldn't really have that either (or so I've read repeatedly). I am thinking of making LAB (Lactose Acid Bacteria) dos anyone else do this?

 

[danib]

I've also read of people who put oregano oil in the water. Some people put iodine in the water. There are just so many options..my head hurts. I will be using a cooler with a pump for their water(er) and need to decide on what to add to help prevent parasites naturally