Vinegar for heat stress, conflicting information can someone help clarify?

[Bawkbok]

I am awaiting delivery via USPS of two pullets shipped from Valley Hatchery (first time with them, jury is out) and my first time ordering via mail. I'm nervous about receiving them alive in good condition given the heat everywhere. It is 113 heat index right now where I am. Valley told me to immediately give them 4 Tablespoons of vinegar in a quart of water as soon as I receive them. That sounds like ALOT to me.

In reading the Chicken Health Handbook, Gail Damerow, pp.384-385, says NOT to give vinegar in water during heat stress as it reduces blood calcium, rather to use baking soda. Low blood calcium interrupts nerve impulses resulting in weak muscles. The sodium bicarbonate helps to restore blood pH.

My Question - what do I give the pullets? Vinegar, Baking Soda, or a combination of both - which seems counter productive. I am concerned about the transportation stress but more so due to the extreme heat. What is the consensus out there? I know a lot of people use vinegar in water for various reasons. Can someone much smarter than me help me understand what is best in this situation for the new pullets and for heat stress in general?

Thank you anyone.

 

[Happy hen lover]

I give rooster booster electrolytes in heat. Whatever you do make sure they know where source of water is. Push beak of one and watch to make sure the others follow. Could also freeze some bottles of water and cool down some of their area. Maybe hide bottles under puppy pads so as not directly on them. Ideal is 95° for 1 day old chicks. I hope they make it !
My opinion is the same that's way too much vinegar.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'd personally just give them some electrolytes in the water.

 

[Stravager]

I know electrolytes are good for chickens in heat distress, so you could try the method @azygous recommends which is one teaspoon sugar in one cup water with a pinch of salt and baking soda.
I don't see how vinegar will help...
And vinegar and baking soda will cancel each other out for most things.

 

[SourRoses]

The important thing is that they drink the water! So no, I wouldn't add anything / amount that would taste yucky.
We give sugar water to new chicks. It works to perk them up and get them awake enough to start eating. They don't need elaborate potions. All the minerals they need are in the feed.

 

[Bawkbok]

Thank you all for the input. I appreciate it.
The USPS tracking update said they are in Billings, MT tonight. Why they have to travel from Ohio to Montana to come to FL is a complete mystery to me and seems unnecessary. I'm an anxious, nervous wreck chicken momma, like waiting for your kid to come home from their first night driving by themself. Sheesh
I'm anticipating they will be a distressed mess, (15-20 weeks age).

 

[Happy hen lover]

Thank you all for the input. I appreciate it.
The USPS tracking update said they are in Billings, MT tonight. Why they have to travel from Ohio to Montana to come to FL is a complete mystery to me and seems unnecessary. I'm an anxious, nervous wreck chicken momma, like waiting for your kid to come home from their first night driving by themself. Sheesh
I'm anticipating they will be a distressed mess, (15-20 weeks age).

Oh I didn't know they are juveniles . That helps. Let us know how they are.

 

[Bawkbok]

UPDATE: Hello all, My new girls arrived today (whew!). When I got to the Post Office, they were chirping and I could hear one of them scratching in the box. They were alive - yay!

I immediately put them in their little quarantine pen. I chose the sugar water treatment - I forced the Black Australorp to drink first, she looked more stressed than the Orpington. They both drank and drank and drank and drank some more. It didn't take long before they were trying to find their way out of the enclosure.
Goldie, the 6 month old Golden Comet was immediately excited and starting chirping at her new buds she could see from a distance. She did well for being alone for 4 days (with a lot of extra attention from me).

The newbies look good and are chillin in front of a fan - it is 109 heat index again today. Their poop looks better than I expected, with the orpington's being a little gooey and white. I will give them a day to settle in and snap more pics if it doesn't improve. No discharge, sneezing or coughing. Both ate and are scratching the ground and moving about normally.

Thank you all for your input. I really appreciate it.