Ground probiotics

[missmychicks]

Does anyone use "clean" garden soil sprinkled in the brooder to introduce probiotics ?

 

[nuthatched]

Does anyone use "clean" garden soil sprinkled in the brooder to introduce probiotics ?

How does that introduce probiotics?
Even if it might introduce the natural microflora but that may not be beneficial to young ones since there's also a chance of introducing diseases.

 

[missmychicks]

How does that introduce probiotics?
Even if it might introduce the natural microflora but that may not be beneficial to young ones since there's also a chance of introducing diseases.

I understand the risk of disease but if it was also thinking of introducing beneficial micro organisms (like they would if they were under mama and then venturing out to peck at the ground).

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I put a tray with soil for them to play in from day 1 and try to get them outside of the barn brooder as soon as possible. I have yet to have a case of coccidiosis and the soil pile i collect from for the chicks is soil from all over the county that they needed to dump.

 

[missmychicks]

I put a tray with soil for them to play in from day 1 and try to get them outside of the barn brooder as soon as possible. I have yet to have a case of coccidiosis and the soil pile i collect from for the chicks is soil from all over the county that they needed to dump.

Thanks! It makes sense to me.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you're grabbing soil to introduce them to outside microbes and pathogens, "clean" isn't what you want - take the dirt from wherever their coop/run is, or is going to be, so they're exposed to whatever is at the location.

I take the chicks to the ground, not the other way around, but same idea.

 

[missmychicks]

If you're grabbing soil to introduce them to outside microbes and pathogens, "clean" isn't what you want - take the dirt from wherever their coop/run is, or is going to be, so they're exposed to whatever is at the location.

I take the chicks to the ground, not the other way around, but same idea.

Makes sense!

 

[HollowOfWisps]

If you're grabbing soil to introduce them to outside microbes and pathogens, "clean" isn't what you want - take the dirt from wherever their coop/run is, or is going to be, so they're exposed to whatever is at the location.

I take the chicks to the ground, not the other way around, but same idea.

I wish I could get mine outside right away. In the spring here we tend to have weeks of pretty constant 20mph winds with gusts up to 40-60mph and that’s considered normal this time of year. I get worried my chicks will blow away or be tossed around their little pen

 

[rosemarythyme]

I wish I could put get mine outside right away. In the spring here we tend to have weeks of pretty constant 20mph winds with gusts up to 40-60mph and that’s considered normal this time of year. I get worried my chicks will blow away or be tossed around their little pen

Yikes, that would be tough on them for sure!