STOP using Gatorade for your birds.

[RodNTN]

I’m another one who is a firm believer in clean, fresh, plain water. A healthy chick (or chicken) wouldn’t be that way if electrolytes or probiotics were out of whack. So it just makes sense to me that adding all that stuff is not only unnecessary, but can throw healthy birds off. Even most of the packages for those additives tell people that they are to be used short term, and that fresh, plain water should also be available at all times.

I do use a little Nutri-Dench for stressed or sick chicks. Briefly. Very briefly, and usually just the chick that is stressed gets it.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Gatorade Thirst Quencher contains water, sucrose (table sugar), dextrose, citric acid, natural flavor, sodium chloride (table salt), sodium citrate, monopotassium phosphate, and flavoring/coloring ingredients; some Gatorade flavor variations use brominated vegetable oil as a stabilizer.

Dextrose and sucrose are two different type of sugar.

Artificial sugar, I might add, that I would not give my child so why would I give it to my animal. (unless I had no choice and the animal would die ASAP without it)

 

[h2oratt]

I'm talking about using it regularly.

Oh ok, you didn’t say that in your opening statement. I can’t imagine anyone giving it as the chickens routine water source.

 

[casportpony]

I have never gave my chickens Gatorade. I never thought people would be dumb enough to do that! ( no offense to the people who do)

It is okay to give to a sick bird, and I have done it many times.

 

[casportpony]

Oh ok, you didn’t say that in your opening statement. I can’t imagine anyone giving it as the chickens routine water source.

Exactly. The only time I use it is when I am tubing something that could benefit from the sugar.

 

[Kiki]

I ran into a chicken friend at the grocery store today.
She was stocking up on some Gatorade that was on sale, the sale ends tomorrow.

I asked her what the heck she was doing buying so much and reminded her that people shouldn't drink that stuff regularly.
She said it was for her birds since it's starting to get hot here.
I about pooped my pants.


In general I think I run into a lot of people/read a lot of posts about people recommending Gatorade for what ever reason.

I do not think it is wise to use it and I especially do not think freshly hatched chicks should ever have it.

 

[Kiki]

Oh ok, you didn’t say that in your opening statement. I can’t imagine anyone giving it as the chickens routine water source.

I should have been more clear...my bad.

 

[coach723]

Great topic!! I only use electrolytes when I have a necessity for it in a sick or recovering bird, and use either home made or animal specific.
Just a note to pass on........always, always, always read labels!!!!!
Xylitol is showing up in more and more products (like peanut butter, chewing gum and beauty products, places you might not think- list below) and is extremely toxic to dogs and cats and probably birds. There was a case of it killing Sugarbirds in Africa. Even small amounts can kill a dog. It's toxic to cats also, but they are less likely to ingest the stuff it's in, so fewer cases. I did find a list that showed one (human) electrolyte drink that contained xylitol (not Gatorade, at least not yet).
https://www.iol.co.za/news/xylitol-could-kill-sugarbirds-and-pets-1847533
https://www.preventivevet.com/xylitol-products-toxic-for-dogs

 

[CayugaJana]

88 cents at Walmart, 79 cents at Smart and Final

Yea but if I fed them nothing Gatorade, that would get really expensive.

 

[casportpony]

I should have been more clear...my bad.

but hey, good subject!