Do you add supplements and or electrolytes?

[TwoCrows]

I have always been a firm believer in probiotics. Every living creature can benefit from them, especially poultry. There have been studies in the world wide poultry business that by adding probiotics that they lost far fewer birds to intestinal and other bacterial "itis's". They say 70% of the immune system lies in the intestinal tract, and by adding probios, you are helping boost their systems. Bad bacteria have a rough time of survival in an environment of probios and most bacteria take hold in the body in the intestinal tract. So yes, I add this supplement to my birds diet.

So, most definitely add them to your poultry's diet a few times a week. AND your diet as well.

 

[danib]

I have always been a firm believer in probiotics. Every living creature can benefit from them, especially poultry. There have been studies in the world wide poultry business that by adding probiotics that they lost far fewer birds to intestinal and other bacterial "itis's". They say 70% of the immune system lies in the intestinal tract, and by adding probios, you are helping boost their systems. Bad bacteria have a rough time of survival in an environment of probios and most bacteria take hold in the body in the intestinal tract. So yes, I add this supplement to my birds diet.

So, most definitely add them to your poultry's diet a few times a week. AND your diet as well.

I agree. Just trying to figure out which method to use. Do you just buy a brand of probiotics that's all set to go?

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote: I use this product...
http://www.amazon.com/pet-supplies/dp/B002WDGLL0

It is added to the water and if I use it two days in a row, I always mix a new batch each day. They all seem to do very well on it and don't mind the taste either. I have seen it in some feed stores, however you would need to check at your local store to see if they carry it. This jar lasts me a pretty long time, adding only a teaspoon per gallon of water. You can also use it on other birds and pets as well.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Or you could just feed a feed that has probiotics in it. Many good quality feeds use Fertrell Nutri-balancer that has probiotics in it. If I had to give my chickens all this stuff, I don't think I would keep them. JMHO

 

[3riverschick]

Quote: I agree. Just trying to figure out which method to use. Do you just buy a brand of probiotics that's all set to go?
==============================
Hi,
I agree whole heartedly with Two Crows. Spent 4 years studying this very subject in canines before authoring the evidence-based Bellwether Neonate Protocol which addresses the subject in newborn puppies...and how to keep them from dying from environmental challenges. Along the way I became familiar with 2 excellent products which became some of the cornerstones of the Protocol. I have used them on my dogs and poultry for years and had great success.
The first company is Fastrack. The very best Probiotic, my years of extensive research could find. It can be added to either the water or the feed.
I have used the formula for canines. Here is the formula for poultry:
http://doubledranch.tripod.com/poultry.html
http://www.conklin.com/files/pdf/AN0220_009_0712_SELLSHEET_PoultryUsage.pdf
http://fastrackprobioticscanada.com/

The second product is Bovidr Labs Poultry Nutri-Drench. You may have read my extolling of its virtues over on the "Raising Baby Chicks " thread. That's because it works. It is an energy enabler. Bovidr Labs is a specialist company which only makes these ER Nutritional Supplements. It would take pages to explain the science behind these Bovidr Labs formulas. However, I suggest turning your sound on and surfing over to the http://www.bovidr.com/poultry.html webpage. There is an audio there which clearly explains it all. Including its helps to the immune system. Note , unlike other supplements, PND does not need to be digested. It mainlines directly into the bloodstream. I spoke with Bovidr Labs. They say 4cc per gallon for needy poultry. 2cc per gallon for maintenance dosage. One single drop by mouth for stressed, needy baby chicks.

These 2 sentences by Two Crows below are an often overlooked and untouted truth. They are an integral part of your creatures health. If more people actually understood the science behind them, all our creatures would be more healthy.
"They say 70% of the immune system lies in the intestinal tract, and by adding probios, you are helping boost their systems. "

Yes, the G.I. tract has been called, "The Second Brain". The nutrients which maintain and encourage the immune system must pass thru the G.I. tract first. ( unless one is using PND). If your birds have a challenged G.I. tract. Sick, stressed, aged or neonates, , etc...the nutrients often are not metabolized in an efficient manner. You can give the bird all kinds of extra goodies, but if the nutrients are not uptaken in an efficient manner, the birds doesn't receive the benefits.


Bad bacteria have a rough time of survival in an environment of probios and most bacteria take hold in the body in the intestinal tract.
The science behind this is fascinating. Which pathogens thrive in which G. I. tract environment and which don't.
Suffice it to say Good bacteria thrive when the flora of the G.I. tract are in balance. Bad pathogens thrive in a needy or malfunctioning G.I. tract. Probiotics bring balance to the G.I. tract. Thus probiotics help the immune system thrive.

Now, personally, I am a rabid fan of getting the immune system working properly as soon as possible after a creatures birth. In puppies, the immune system is still immature when the pup is born. This is a critical issue because it means we have an opportunity to interdict the developmental timeline and effect the nutrients available to the pup to help create the best foundation possible on which the immune system can finish maturing. That's the thesis behind the Bellwether Neonate Protocol.
Whether avian species also have immature immune systems when they hatch, I do not know. I do know that the quicker we can give the birds the nutrients it needs for proper flora in the G.I. tract, and the energy it needs to digest the nutrients given it, the sooner more nutrients will be available for the body's systems (including the immune system).
Personally, I give my baby chicks. 2cc per gallon of PND from birth thru the 1st 2 weeks of life to make sure they have the energy they need to digest their food properly. They get it daily in their water at this dosage at any age during the winter, when it is cold and/or the foul weather keep them cooped inside.
Have not had cause to give the Fastrack to my birds because they are doing so well with the PND only.
Best Regards,
Karen
Waterford English Light Sussex
Bellwether Collies (retired)
in western PA, USA

 

[TwoCrows]

Quote: This is absolutely fantastic information! And I might add, for myself, that I always start out baby chicks on probiotics as well. Gives them a healthy start on life and aids in their over all health. Babies especially have not yet developed their immune systems and are very vulnerable to many bacterias. However by adding probiotics to their diet at day one, this gives them an edge over these pathogens and allows for better growth.

 

[Windy Bay Farm]

I'm not sure if anyone has any info on a product called "Gro2Max", but I've read a bit of info and some of the testimonials I have read indicate it's a good product.

Has anyone used it ? How were the results ?

 

[danib]

when I first got them, they were 2 weeks old and for probiotics, I just gave them plain organic yogurt. But..with further research, decided I needed something better. I've heard of the nutria-drench, but thought that was for bird in extreme heat or baby chicks. I will look into the one from Fastrack. It would be great, though if I could in their food and leave their water pure.

 

[TwoCrows]

when I first got them, they were 2 weeks old and for probiotics, I just gave them plain organic yogurt. But..with further research, decided I needed something better. I've heard of the nutria-drench, but thought that was for bird in extreme heat or baby chicks. I will look into the one from Fastrack. It would be great, though if I could in their food and leave their water pure.

Danib, if you do consider the probios, you can put them in their feed also. It does not have to be put in the water. My birds love the taste of it so much, I can hand feed it! LOL

 

[LaLa Chickie]

I have used "Gatorade" and yogurt when my hen was ill or injured and mushed layer with it and fed with a cookie press for a few days. Works wonders...