Official BYC Poll: Do you use electrolytes in your chickens' water during the summer?

[SwampPrincessChick]

I only put electrolytes in my chickens' waterer when one seems to be weak or there is a sick chicken that needs an extra boost. Otherwise I see no point in giving them electrolytes, they just need cool water and shade during hot weather. I would say to make sure the water is fresh but my chickens go for the nastiest water they can find even if they have clean water available.

 

[LBL]

What electrolytes will they get from pecking at the dirt like they do ?

I figure it yields them something besides pebbles for their crop.

 

[SwampPrincessChick]

What electrolytes will they get from pecking at the dirt like they do ?

I figure it yields them something besides pebbles for their crop.

What do you mean? Chickens peck at the dirt to search for and uncover hidden food, as well as eating dirt because dirt is a type of grit for their crop.

 

[Barnette]

I only use electrolytes occasionally, during heat waves or times of stress. It's not needed otherwise.

 

[Shabby Chic-Hens]

Nope. I only give them electrolytes I’d that desperately need them (think scalped, half dead rooster)

 

[The Welch Chickens]

I give electrolytes when they're panting, along with fresh fruits and veggies. I make electrolyte ice cubes to keep on hand, so I can just pop them in the water when needed.

 

[AntiqueB]

I give electrolytes when they're panting, along with fresh fruits and veggies. I make electrolyte ice cubes to keep on hand, so I can just pop them in the water when needed.

That is a great idea!

 

[K0k0shka]

No. The electrolyte hype from human sports drinks has spilled into fad chicken keeping without people understanding how electrolyte water works. Humans sweat when hot or when exercising, and along with water, they also sweat out salt and electrolytes from the body, which are lost and need to be replenished. Hence the usefulness of electrolyte water as opposed to plain water, to replenish all that was lost in the sweat, not just the water.

But chickens don’t sweat. They pant and cool themselves by evaporating water from their mouths, as well as spreading their wings out to release body heat to the environment. Only water evaporates though so they only lose water when panting. They don’t lose electrolytes, so there’s no need for them to consume additional electrolytes. Just water is all they need. No chicken gatorade is actually necessary.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Yes, I sometimes use electrolytes, especially with my baby chicks since they are still growing and developing and they need that extra protection against illnesses/diseases that their little systems can't handle. I haven't actually been giving it to my adult chickens but I should! On the YouTube channel Chickenlandia I saw a video on how to make homemade electrolytes for poultry, so that you don't have to keep going to the farm store in order to get some more!

Homemade electrolytes recipe

4 tablespoons sea salt
4 tablespoons baking soda
Add mixture into a mason jar (or any container) and shake well until combined.

When you are ready to use it, you add 2 teaspoons of the electrolyte powder to 1 gallon of fresh, cold water, stir, and then add 1 tablespoon of raw honey (not the stuff that is make with corn syrup lol)

And that's it!
All the credit goes to Dalia from Chickenlandia of course!

(This is the Chickenlandia video. It was very helpful to me! Definitely watch it if you are going through a heat wave or if you live somewhere hot!)

 

[Sequoia Raven Bird Farms]

I like to dry chop and grind horsetail (the weed) into a powder and add it to their water when it's REALLY hot. Horse tail is a source of vitamins and minerals, making it an amazing electrolyte.