Vitamins & Elcectrolytes....HOW MUCH????

[kryptoniteqhs]

Hi my one of my coops if has 9 sick little chickens in it. I need to know how my to give them of the Vitamins and Electrolytes I got for them. It doesnt say how much for poultry? Its an 8oz bag of durvet Vitamins and Electrolytes. Help please

 

[Wynette]

Are your chickens ill? If not, they SHOULD NOT be on electrolytes. Some folks give them now and then, but it's not recommended to do so.

If you want to give them vitamins/minerals, check out Avia Charge 2000 - you can get it online at Strombergs. It's a really good (kelp-based) source of vitamins/minerals, and it's excellent for chickens!!

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

no they have very bad colds, they definitely need the electrolytes.

 

[Wynette]

Chickens do not get colds...they get respiratory infections. What are their symptoms? How old, what type of litter do have them on, what are you feeding?

If, in fact, they DO have a respiratory infection, vitamins and electrolytes will not help you.

 

[chickenzoo]

You might want to hold off on the vitamins if they are sick, as it could affect how antibiotics work. Do you have them on any antibiotics?

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

1 tsp per gallon

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

thanks guys. here is the thread i have about them being sick

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=128491

i am working on the antibiotics right now. trying to figure out which i will use and the dosage. i also was told to add vitamines and electrolytes to their water, is this wrong?

their bedding is mostly hay. I may change to shavings. The ground they walk on is dirt, though.
They are eating the layer 16% and the starter/grower 20% (i think thats right).

 

[Chickenaddict]

Quote:
It's 1/4 tsp per gallon of water for vital but not sure for the one you have.

 

[Wynette]

Okay, just read all the posts in your other thread, and I cannot post there for some reason. SORRY! BUT - it sounds like your chickens have a BAD respiratory infection. Vitamins/electrolytes will not help in this case. You need a strong antibioitc - Tylan injectable or Gallimycin water soluble. The problem with Tylan water soluble is that they have to drink quite a bit of it in order for it to be effective, and in the winter, it's typically not hot enough to get them to drink enough.

Also, I'm a bit concerned that you have them on hay - if you can get rid of it, do so ASAP! It is not very absorbent, and actually can be quite dangerous as they can become crop bound from eating it. The major key to respiratory issues is to keep their housing CLEAN AND DRY. Moisutre is the precursor for respiratory infection!!

GOOD LUCK - there are many bad respiratory infections they can get, and it's really best to have it diagnosed by an avian vet. If you cannot do so, then please get some strong antibiotics aimed at respiratory - NOT a broad spectrum antibiotic. GOOD LUCK!

 

[kryptoniteqhs]

ok thank you!! so the injectable--where do i inject it or should i give it by mouth like some other people were saying. I know that it can cause muscle damage when injected.