STOP using Gatorade for your birds.

[paneubert]

Using Gatorade is nothing compared to some of the stuff I see.

You mean you don't like my patented "ketchup to cure Coccidiosis" recipe?

 

[casportpony]

I read a lot...a lot on this site.
Using Gatorade is nothing compared to some of the stuff I see.

Don't get me started, lol. Lots of crazy stupid stuff on forums and facebook.

 

[Kiki]

You mean you don't like my patented "ketchup to cure Coccidiosis" recipe?

Lol...I haven't run into it just let. I'll get back to you on that.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Stuff around the house...where in the house do I find potassium chloride???

Homemade Electrolyte Recipe for Chicks

1. 1 cup warm water.
2. 2 teaspoons molasses OR 2 teaspoons granulated sugar.
3. 1/8 teaspoon salt.
4. 1/8 teaspoon baking soda.
5. 1/8 teaspoon potassium chloride* (optional)

 

[paneubert]

Stuff around the house...where in the house do I find potassium chloride???

Homemade Electrolyte Recipe for Chicks

1. 1 cup warm water.
2. 2 teaspoons molasses OR 2 teaspoons granulated sugar.
3. 1/8 teaspoon salt.
4. 1/8 teaspoon baking soda.
5. 1/8 teaspoon potassium chloride* (optional)

Exactly.

I like the idea of home made recipes for things when I can easily make them, but when I can pay 4 bucks on Amazon to buy pre-mixed electrolyte/vitamin powder that makes 110 gallons, then that is what I go for. No question. Especially when the vitamin and mineral list is way longer than 4 additives. Admittedly there is normally a lack of sugar in the commercial mix, and if giving a boost of literal energy is what you are looking for, then using a home made recipe with molasses or sugar is smart. But why not use the commercial powder and add a bit of sugar yourself. That would be the way I go.

 

[lazy gardener]

B/C vitamins do not have a long shelf life, and I'd rather not spend the bucks on a "makes a million gallons" size pack of vitamin mix when I'll most likely not use more than a few gallons per season.

 

[paneubert]

B/C vitamins do not have a long shelf life, and I'd rather not spend the bucks on a "makes a million gallons" size pack of vitamin mix when I'll most likely not use more than a few gallons per season.

I hear Gatorade is a good alternative.

 

[Kiki]

I hear Gatorade is a good alternative.

 

[lazy gardener]

@lazy gardener what is your recipe for electrolytes?

This is the basic recipe. Flavoring is optional.

Homemade Gatorade Recipe
2 quarts water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoons salt (I use Sea Salt)
7 Tablespoons sugar
1 packet Sugar-Free Kool-Aid The old fashioned kind that you have to add sugar to. Not the new fangled junk with the artificial sweetener. This last ingredient is totally optional.

Then there's the Jello one:

Homemade Pedialyte Recipe #1:

• 1/2 cup hot water
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (
• I also added 1/2 tsp baking soda)
• 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon Jello gelatin powder/mix, any flavor

Instructions for homemade Pedialyte: Mix salt, sugar and Jello with hot water until dissolved. Stir into 3 1/2 cups of water and serve. Refrigerate up to 3 days.

When I made the electrolyte solution, I did add the flavoring, b/c it was my goal to get the heat stressed birds to drink it. I don't know if they would have drank more or less if it did not have the flavoring. But, it did the trick. When I give it to hatchlings, I do not use the flavoring.

 

[Kiki]

This is the basic recipe. Flavoring is optional.

Homemade Gatorade Recipe
2 quarts water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoons salt (I use Sea Salt)
7 Tablespoons sugar
1 packet Sugar-Free Kool-Aid The old fashioned kind that you have to add sugar to. Not the new fangled junk with the artificial sweetener. This last ingredient is totally optional.

Then there's the Jello one:

Homemade Pedialyte Recipe #1:

• 1/2 cup hot water
• 3 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (
• I also added 1/2 tsp baking soda)
• 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon Jello gelatin powder/mix, any flavor

Instructions for homemade Pedialyte: Mix salt, sugar and Jello with hot water until dissolved. Stir into 3 1/2 cups of water and serve. Refrigerate up to 3 days.

When I made the electrolyte solution, I did add the flavoring, b/c it was my goal to get the heat stressed birds to drink it. I don't know if they would have drank more or less if it did not have the flavoring. But, it did the trick. When I give it to hatchlings, I do not use the flavoring.

If you should have to make this again for a heat stressed bird can you make 2 batches..one with flavor and one without to see which the bird will choose if given a choice?