What Do I Put In My Chicks water 1 to 8 weeks old

[bob869007]

The vitamin with electrolyte powder I use for first few days after hatching. People also use it with shipped chicks. Basically hatching and shipment of chicks takes a lot out of them. What they need is to eat to gain strength. That's what the vitamin with electrolytes does, gives them an energy boost so they do eat and regain strength. It's a preventative measure. If a chick is too week to feed then it wastes away very quickly.

There is no need to put anything in the water but I do recommend mixing up a packet of the vit. with electro. if your chicks are coming to you in the mail. If your getting them at a local feed store then there's nothing they need. Just pick out the most active ones to buy.

Some folks use cider vinegar with mother. There are threads here claiming all sorts of benefits. It should NOT be used on a daily basis and the only reason people say organic is in that form it always has the "mother" in it. That's what's important if used is the vinegar still has the mother. Heinz makes cider vinegar with mother that is reasonably priced. The other goto somewhat reasonable brand is Bragg's that happens to be organic.

Think of vinegar or any other water addative as a tonic and not a sole drinking supply. Use sparingly. For instance vitamins with electrolytes we use for the hottest times of summer. In the heat animals don't feed as much just like us. Few electrolytes and they'll consume a bit more to stay healthy. The feed is what's most important. And there is nothing better for you than pure water on a daily basis.

You said about ACV; "it should not be used on a daily basis" I am curious as to why you say this?

 

[jojorose8]

I used the Sav A Chick probiotics and electrolytes for my chicks and they are all super healthy and active. I mixed them together in a ziploc bag and added 1 teaspoon per quart of water for 3 days when they first came home.

 

[SomeHotChicks]

Thank you both so much.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

You said about ACV; "it should not be used on a daily basis" I am curious as to why you say this?

Do a search for side effects of apple cider vinegar. As any tonic or pill it may be beneficial but to be your sole drink or taking a pill with every meal is usually not. Just because something is beneficial it does not interpolate that more of it is "more good" for you. Nor does it imply that that is the only thing you should ever ingest. Stop for a minute and ask why clean old fashioned water needs anything more? You may eat a yogurt for snack everyday for you health but think of what that would do to you if it was all you ate for every meal...

Let me list a few side effects of cider vinegar and you can do a search then wonder why people feel more of something is always better? Cider in every water fill or fermenting feed with cider for every meal, is it really the best thing or is moderation in all things better?

Tissue damage
Loss of bone density
Low Potassium levels
and more...

Vinegar is an acid. There are other means for probiotics and again anything supplemented for health benefits should be used as a supplement not in every drink or bite ingested.

 

[bob869007]

Do a search for side effects of apple cider vinegar. As any tonic or pill it may be beneficial but to be your sole drink or taking a pill with every meal is usually not. Just because something is beneficial it does not interpolate that more of it is "more good" for you. Nor does it imply that that is the only thing you should ever ingest. Stop for a minute and ask why clean old fashioned water needs anything more? You may eat a yogurt for snack everyday for you health but think of what that would do to you if it was all you ate for every meal...

Let me list a few side effects of cider vinegar and you can do a search then wonder why people feel more of something is always better? Cider in every water fill or fermenting feed with cider for every meal, is it really the best thing or is moderation in all things better?

Tissue damage
Loss of bone density
Low Potassium levels
and more...

Vinegar is an acid. There are other means for probiotics and again anything supplemented for health benefits should be used as a supplement not in every drink or bite ingested.

I am definitely not the more is better type but I can definitely see how that would cause a problem here. The side effects that I have seen all have one thing in common, undiluted or not diluted enough is what causes these conditions. Excess is never good but moderation doesn't hurt. I do not give my chickens any ACV regularly because fermenting feed in the stomach drives the PH down. So their stomach content is already at a high acid level. I only give ACV and fermented feed to young chicks in the first few days of life to boost their energy levels, help them digest and build flora. Home fermented products are very high in probiotics. I make Kombucha and Kefir. I add those 2 to the fermenting feed. Kefir is the most rich probiotic money can buy or make. I do agree with you in whole but I do disagree about daily supplements when a deficiency in diet is known and can not be corrected any other way like low vitamin levels. If a person doesn't know if they have any deficiencies than it would be better to not take the supplement. Thanks for the exchange. I always appreciate more/new information.

 

[prinellie]

Just get the sav a chick and use it for a couple days. Then just clean fresh water every day. Little chicks really shouldn't have treats. They just need a starter feed (ask at the feed store) - and you can got them medicated or non-medicated. We always use the non- medicated because we are organic as much as possible also. The other thing they need is some very fine grit (ask at the feed store) mixed in with the feed. Someone told me to sprinkle the grit on like salt - so not a whole bunch! So for the first couple weeks just give them feed. Then when they are all settled I take some of that feed and mix a little water in it so it is like a mash. They LOVE this and will start to be more friendly and you can start taming them like this. I give a little in morning and night. Not much. Just enough to TREAT them

The only time you would use ACV is if you think there is something wrong such as lots of them having diarrhea or something. It is anywhere from a teaspoon per gallon to a Tablesppon per gallon depending on what's wrong. There are lots of people who believe in ACV and some who don't. The preference is yours. And if you need it then get online and ask how much to use and for what. I also use herbs in my feed. Like oregano, dandelion etc. occasionally (when they are older). There is a place called Treats For Chickens that sells a blend. Kind of expensive but you don't need much. You can also grow and dry your own. Don't give chicks anything but the feed and mash,if you want to do that, for the first 8 weeks (except I let mine out after about 3 weeks). After 8 weeks switch to a grower feed. And give the grit on the side. They will get what they want. At 20 weeks I switch to a layer feed and start oyster shell on the side also at that time. For treats - sparingly- I use black oil sunflower seed or dried grubs you can buy. I use them especially to train to come when I call. This is a great place to ask questions. Everyone is very helpful and nice. So this is a good place. Good luck to you!!!

 

[SomeHotChicks]

Thank you all so much everyone is so helpful. I write down all the treat prinellie thank you. so I can get them then they are older. do you think this is ok? The chick starter we get is 21% protein. We have Rogue Nature's Harmony Organic Chick Starter Feed, Rogue Quality Feeds Chick Scratch, Chick Grit,Sav-A-Chick Electrolyte, Vitamin Supplement, Save-A-Chick Probiotic and raisins we cut in very small bits like 12 bite size for one raisins and give one bite to each chick with some grit for a treat when we pet or hold them.

 

[PirateGirl]

You don't NEED anything, but there are always things that can give your chicks a boost. Whether or not you are going organic makes a difference in what you give or don't give them now. Once you medicate, you can't go back and claim your eggs are organic even if it's years later. A little organic molasses in the water can help perk them up and stimulate them if they aren't up to eating. Personally I wouldn't jump to give them anything, but wait to see how they are doing. Fermenting their food among other things can naturally give them probiotics as well. I recommend exploring all options before rushing into something.

 

[SomeHotChicks]

You don't NEED anything, but there are always things that can give your chicks a boost. Whether or not you are going organic makes a difference in what you give or don't give them now. Once you medicate, you can't go back and claim your eggs are organic even if it's years later. A little organic molasses in the water can help perk them up and stimulate them if they aren't up to eating. Personally I wouldn't jump to give them anything, but wait to see how they are doing. Fermenting their food among other things can naturally give them probiotics as well. I recommend exploring all options before rushing into something.

ok. thank you so much!

 

[prinellie]

The scratch should not be fed as a feed. It is like a treat for older chickens. Just do the starter until 8 weeks old and then go to a grower. They just need all the good stuff in the starter for now.