I dont know what foods have electrolytes in them that chickens can eat. Please help

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Smf0723

Smf0723

In the Brooder
7 Years
Apr 12, 2012
84
1
39
I know that watermelon has elecrolytes in it and that chickens can eat that but i dont know any other foods.


Were having a heatwave where i live and i know that electolytes cool down your chickens but i dont know any other foods that have it in them. please help.
 
I give mine gatoraid in their water it helps also I go out in the afternoon and spray down all the runs Once I move away from that coop they are right outside in the cool water. Thirdly I use the small litter boxes from Dollar tree and fill with water. When they get too too hot they stand in the boxes to cool down
 
just regular gatoraid that you can buy at the store, if so is there a certain kind that you should get.
 
Any gatoraid is fine. Sugar content can be a concern. Pedialyte childrens formula can be used as well. As long as they are getting enough fresh water it probably isn't that big of a consern. Shade, put ice in the water, a fan if you have it. Best of luck. We are over a100 for several weeks now and we're doing ok so far.
sickbyc.gif
 
Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan :D

Please dont use gatorade, it is too high in sugar and the minerals are not balanced properly for birds. Electrolytes do not cool birds off, they only replace minerals lost when you sweat or loose them through digestive issues such as diarrhea. Since birds dont sweat, they do not need the high levels of salt found in sports drinks. If you must use electrolytes, get one made for birds. Also, always keep plain water available as well, as some birds do not drink water with electrolytes added.
 
If going with baby electrolytes do NOT get ones with iron in them
 
Smf0723 said:
I know that watermelon has elecrolytes in it and that chickens can eat that but i dont know any other foods.


Were having a heatwave where i live and i know that electolytes cool down your chickens but i dont know any other foods that have it in them. please help.
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Hi Smf0723,

I know it sounds extreme to buy actual poultry electrolytes, but the $2-$3 pack (Sav-A-Chick) is so concentrated, you will only need a tiny bit to make up a gallon. It's much better at replacing fluid lost in the heat (or due to having to run a fan constantly), and keeps their bodies in balance. If you're wanting to keep eggs coming, and keep your girls healthy and happy, I'd spring for SAC. In a pinch - use Gatoraid, diluted. It wouldn't matter about flavor so much as making sure you aren't getting one for diabetic use (splenda/equal, etc.). I use berry blue for my critters to keep it separate from the flavors the fam uses. Don't want anyone chugging something that may have had a slobbery syringe or feed tube dipped in!! (My goats only like the berry blue flavor - but the birds don't seem to care.)

***emphasis: Gatoraid only in a pinch. Wouldn't give more than once in a week. Just use until you can get the "good stuff".

Watermelon isn't only a good thing to help them in the heat, but it's a natural thing, and one way to be sure there aren't any scraps around to bring in fruit flies. If yours are like mine, all that's left is a paper thin shell (rind).

As someone said, the electrolytes really are replacing what is lost, and that effect helps the chicken's body regulate its own temperature back to normal. In extreme cases, or for birds that aren't in the best health (our elderly girls), we let them stand in a pan of cool water. Some of them like it enough you'd think they were part crane! In super-extreme cases, or when they give us that "pretty please" look ... we bring them in for a few hours. We don't do that with all of them ... they have to go in a pet carrier ... but something may have happened in the yard that set them off and after a brief timeout in the cool, they are back to normal and out again.

Nothing better than the happy song of a happy hen ...

GG
 
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