Water soluble vitamin/electrolyte/mineral mixture for poultry

[Sunny Side Up]

I got a packet of Durvet Vita-Mate with Electrolytes at the feed store and have some questions about its use. It was recommended for use especially during these days of high heat & the stress it puts on the birds.

I believe the dose is 1 teaspoon per gallon. (How I wish these companies would list doses for small flock owners, how much to put in a gallon water fount, and measurements in teaspoons, not dry ounces)

Can it be used in metal water founts?

Must new mixtures be made each day, or can I leave it until they empty the fount? (usually before the second day)

Can it be given along with antibiotics? Or is it better to give it after the antibiotics have been finished?

 

[mgard99]

I have a small flock of 6 hens and am using a vitamin electrolyte mix in their water. I have a pouch that says to mix with one gallon of water and then use one ounce per gallon of drinking water(for the chickens that is). So I mixed half the pouch in a half gallon milk jug and labeled it chicken vitamins so my boys don't come home from college and think it is orange juice. I keep it in the frig and a couple times a week I put 2 ounces in their 2 gallon waterer. It is galvanized metal and so far it hasn't done anything to the metal. The rest of the week they just get plain water. My hens(Barred Rocks) were in pretty bad shape when I got them. They were missing a lot of feathers from being with some mean old roos. They are looking much better in the six weeks since I got them and laying a half dozen eggs a day for me!!

 

[1birdlady]

The electrolytes we are using is Vi-Tal. I don't remember who makes it as we transferred it to a glass jar. The dosage on it is 1/4 tsp. per 1 gallon.