Should I refrigerate or freeze probiotics for birds?

[Luckybaby]

I bought one morning bird: probiotics for my chickens today. In the label, I read that it should be stored in a cool and dry place. What is the temperature of a cool area? Also, it suggest the user to freeze or refrigerate in order to preserve live culture. I didn't open it yet, so should I refrigerate it now? It has been on the store for several weeks at about mid 70's(if aircon is on) and low 80's if aircon is turned off. The expiration date is next year, so is the good bacteria still alive, even though they didn't freeze or refrigerate it for a long time? After I opened it, should I refrigerate, freeze, or put it on an area with a temperature of mid to high 70's?

 

[Cherie1n2]

keep it in the refrigerator where it can stay dark and dry as this keeps the cultures in hibernation. Depending on manufacturer some are ok if stored at room air without drastic humidity changes until opened.. but this varies.

 

[Luckybaby]

I think it is freeze dried. I didn't open it yet and I put it in the refrigerator last night. Is it going to last longer in the refrigerator than in mid 70's to low 80's house temperature?

 

[gander007]

I do it this way and have for years and that is keeping it in a cool place around 70 F degrees till I open it and mix with water then what is not served up goes in the refrigerator at 38 F or so it say's on the door thermometer .... But I never keep it in there for more then 24 hours as I have enough chickens to drink it ..

 

[Cherie1n2]

if you "activate" the cultures and trigger the organism to begin to grow then the pro-biotics will likely starve at 70-80 degrees because the organisms have nothing to use a fuel. Remember pro-biotics are living organisms. They are in a stasis until you do like Gander said and activate them. This doesn't mean they can't be ruined before then, extreme heat and humidity can kill almost everything. Just keep it in the fridge after you open it per manufacturers label and use it within the set time frame.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The probiotic powder I use says to store it between 33F and 103F so I would use the refrigerator.

 

[Luckybaby]

How often should I give them probiotics?

 

[Luckybaby]

Is it better that I freeze it than refrigerate it, before and after opening it? I didn't see any in the label, about the specific temperature required to preserve the good bacteria.

 

[Luckybaby]

if you "activate" the cultures and trigger the organism to begin to grow then the pro-biotics will likely starve at 70-80 degrees because the organisms have nothing to use a fuel. Remember pro-biotics are living organisms. They are in a stasis until you do like Gander said and activate them. This doesn't mean they can't be ruined before then, extreme heat and humidity can kill almost everything. Just keep it in the fridge after you open it per manufacturers label and use it within the set time frame.

So, they only get activated after I open it?