Probiotics?

[m1chelle1]

So probiotic day one? When do you use electrolytes?

Probiotics are more for promoting healthy digestion (like in people!) and the electrolytes are to help the little guys stay hydrated. Those are used if you suspect, say, a little one is not drinking well enough, so you can supplement the water with that to help ensure they are hydrated and getting those additional nutrients. You can rotate probiotic or electrolytes. Or that with clean water. Or you can use two water feeders. It is really up to you. there is no real guidebook for what to do here, it is go on instinct and everyone will have a different opinion

 

[Living_Legend]

M

Agreed. Ive only ever used save a chick- living_legend sent you a link. Most TSC's have them readily available. But I use that probiotic and electrolyte supplement for my babies the first two (or so) weeks I have them. Sometimes they can get sick or malnourished during travel (if they are getting shipped to you in the mail) its how most people get chickies now days- online. So its nice to be able to give them that boost after a venture like that. I have a breeder who ive been working with, and I still use those supplements, just to ensure they get a healthy start some use, some don't. So its up to you.

Good Luck!!
~M

Mine are coming by mail. So give then which one day one? You don't mix them right....

 

[lazy gardener]

So probiotic day one? When do you use electrolytes?

I edited my last post. I don't usually use electrolytes unless a bird is dehydrated. And I don't purchase probiotics. i use fermented feed and a plug of sod. There is a FAQ article about FF in my signature. I'm also a huge fan of the Mother Heating Pad style of brooding, and brood my chicks outside. No inside brooding for me, and NEVER a heat lamp. Heating pad brooding is much more natural, safer, and less stressful. @Blooie has 2 articles and a thread dedicated to the topic.

 

[Living_Legend]

I edited my last post. I don't usually use electrolytes unless a bird is dehydrated. And I don't purchase probiotics. i use fermented feed and a plug of sod. There is a FAQ article about FF in my signature. I'm also a huge fan of the Mother Heating Pad style of brooding, and brood my chicks outside. No inside brooding for me, and NEVER a heat lamp. Heating pad brooding is much more natural, safer, and less stressful. @Blooie has 2 articles and a thread dedicated to the topic.

Thanks for the info! That's what I needed.

 

[lazy gardener]

You can put the probiotic and the electrolytes in the same waterer. If using electrolytes, you really should offer plain water also. The last time I got chicks (through the mail) the customer service people told me not to use electrolytes for their first water. Reason being that if the chicks are super thirsty, (and they will be) they may take in too much electrolytes and mess up their body chemistry. Best to give them sugar water, and PND, then wait and see how it goes. If you choose to do the probiotics, you can do that immediately, Read the labels, and if you have any questions, contact the manufacturer. Do your homework long before your chicks arrive!!! If you use the SAC lytes plus vitamins, you probably shouldn't add PND on top of that! But, IMO, PND is far superior to SAC products. Any time you put ANYTHING in the water, be sure to change it out every 24 hours. Water with additives grows bacteria.

 

[Living_Legend]

You can put the probiotic and the electrolytes in the same waterer. If using electrolytes, you really should offer plain water also. The last time I got chicks (through the mail) the customer service people told me not to use electrolytes for their first water. Reason being that if the chicks are super thirsty, (and they will be) they may take in too much electrolytes and mess up their body chemistry. Best to give them sugar water, and PND, then wait and see how it goes. If you choose to do the probiotics, you can do that immediately, Read the labels, and if you have any questions, contact the manufacturer. Do your homework long before your chicks arrive!!! If you use the SAC lytes plus vitamins, you probably shouldn't add PND on top of that! But, IMO, PND is far superior to SAC products. Any time you put ANYTHING in the water, be sure to change it out every 24 hours. Water with additives grows bacteria.

More good information thank you

 

[Jae]

Thanks! I will add some... dirt? To their home.

 

[lazy gardener]

I laugh when I hear the word "dirt". I'm not poking fun at you, really. But, dirt is what I sweep up off my kitchen floor. Or what gets sucked up in the vac bag. Soil is what plants grow in, and what is full of all the micro flora that keeps plants and animals alive. I have no respect for dirt, but ultimate respect for soil!

 

[bjerro]

Agreed. Ive only ever used save a chick- living_legend sent you a link. Most TSC's have them readily available. But I use that probiotic and electrolyte supplement for my babies the first two (or so) weeks I have them. Sometimes they can get sick or malnourished during travel (if they are getting shipped to you in the mail) its how most people get chickies now days- online. So its nice to be able to give them that boost after a venture like that. I have a breeder who ive been working with, and I still use those supplements, just to ensure they get a healthy start some use, some don't. So its up to you.

Good Luck!!
~M

Thank you! Do you give them to adult chickens as well?

 

[m1chelle1]

Thank you! Do you give them to adult chickens as well?

I wouldn't. I think they are formulated specifically for chicks. But you could read on the label and see if they are approved for that sort of use. they may be, I just don't know.