Do you add supplements and or electrolytes?

[Windy Bay Farm]

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 ?

 

[lizzybaxter]

My birds free range, and I give them a mix of laying pellets, scratch feed, oyster shell, Diatomaceous Earth, and a squirt of Kickin' Chicken every night.

 

[chicknmania]

Our flock is free range and June is the worst month in the whole year as far as the flock having to stay alert, and watch for predators, and they are usually quite stressed what with hatching and raising young, watching for predators, and dealing with the roller coaster climate here this time of year. In light of that, I will sometimes give them Vitapro-B, a vit/ electrolyte mix, in their water, but it averages to about once a week, and likewise ACV in the water and sometimes Turmeric in the food. Not every day by any means, but I like to use them once in a while. Once a week, average. Just to give them a boost, in case they need it. You should never give electrolytes for a long period of time, it's not good for them.

 

[wflynt01]

I just add a tray of ice cubes to their water when the heat index reaches the triple digets, like this week! I'm also freezing bottles of water for them to lay against.

That's a great idea! I hadn't thought about doing that. Thanks

 

[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 ?

I wouldn't think so. I would recommend that you quarentine them immediately if you haven't aleady. Then look up the symptoms for infectious bronchitis and see if that is what it looks like. You can give them duramycin (sp?) but that will only help with secondary infection. I always try to avoid antibiotics - I don't recommend them lightly. I would give ALL of them vitamins immediately.

I had chicks that started panting/head shaking and occassionally sneezing, that turned into dying in about 5 days. I lost 9 of the 18 chicks. Not to scare you but it coud be very serious. There is no treatment for infectious bronchitis. Please do a search and check out the threads on Emergencies/diseses/injuries and cures. Dawg53 is a very reliable source and has posted several links on the topic. This is based on my experience, and you didn't give a lot of info. Hopefully it is nothing serious.

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

Thank you f

I wouldn't think so.  I would recommend that you quarentine them immediately if you haven't aleady.  Then look up the symptoms for infectious bronchitis and see if that is what it looks like.  You can give them duramycin (sp?) but that will only help with secondary infection. I always try to avoid antibiotics - I don't recommend them lightly.   I would give ALL of them vitamins immediately.

I had chicks that started panting/head shaking and occassionally sneezing, that turned into dying in about 5 days.  I lost 9 of the 18 chicks.  Not to scare you but it coud be very serious.  There is no treatment for infectious bronchitis. Please do a search and check out the threads on Emergencies/diseses/injuries and cures.  Dawg53 is a very reliable source and has posted several links on the topic.  This is based on my experience, and you didn't give a lot of info.  Hopefully it is nothing serious.

Thank you for the information. I will check out Dawg53's info as well.

Any idea what type of vitamins I should start them on ?

 

[Reurra]

The only time I add suppliments and electrolytes is when something is going to be stressful, like a move or introduction of new members of the flock.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
800,000+ birds agree...adding Bovidr Labs Poultry Nutri-Drench to the waterer is a great idea.
http://www.bovidr.com/poultry.html Note it does not need to be digested. Goes straight to the bloodstream.
I use it in my birds waterer for the 1st 2 weeks of life. Also when moulting or in times of stress like foul weather.
Just 2cc per gallon for maintenance needs.
Best,
Karen in western PA, USA

 

[stevodod]

IMHO, do whatever makes YOU feel comfortable. Don't let guilt and doubt be your guide. If your birds are healthy, I'd leave them alone. As a science teacher, I see where science is abused and misused to discredit or support nearly anything. If you have the $$$ and want to spoil your birds, give 'em what you want! It certainly is NOT bad for them! Electrolytes in the summer is a good idea, but no electrolyte will save you from direct sunlight at 100 degrees for 8 hours. Shade, water access, ice cubes, ice packs....my neighbor just told me she goes to the farmers market and takes all the spoil crops and freezes them, then puts them out. She also freezes cantaloupes and watermelons, they cuts them in half and lets the chickens pick them down to nothing as they thaw- really cools them off!

 

[Michael Apple]

Our flock is free range and June is the worst month in the whole year as far as the flock having to stay alert, and watch for predators, and they are usually quite stressed what with hatching and raising young, watching for predators, and dealing with the roller coaster climate here this time of year. In light of that, I will sometimes give them Vitapro-B, a vit/ electrolyte mix, in their water, but it averages to about once a week, and likewise ACV in the water and sometimes Turmeric in the food. Not every day by any means, but I like to use them once in a while. Once a week, average. Just to give them a boost, in case they need it. You should never give electrolytes for a long period of time, it's not good for them.

Turmeric is a good antioxidant, but one must be careful about using too much as it can cause excessive bleeding and gastric upset which would be disastrous during a Coccidiosis outbreak. Vitamins help with the absorption of Turmeric since, by itself, is not absorbed well in the digestive system. I used it for awhile at 1/2 tsp per pound of feed, didn't see any difference except occasional diarrhea over a 6 month period, adjusted to smaller amount, saw no difference, so I stopped. Some ingredients in my formulated feed I buy are horseradish powder, star anise oil, juniper oil, garlic granules, brewers yeast, etc. Vita-Pro B is a good product by Peter Brown, but isn't cost effective for me since shipping is outrageous from the East coast. I use Avian Super Pack, Vitamins-Electrolytes "Plus". For those vitamin packs which do not contain probiotics, I use Probios dispersible powder. I do this 2-3 days a week. Old flock just came on 9 years and still laying most everyday during this time of year.