Which probiotics for chicks??

[Tippy Hedren]

Hello- I have a related question. i bought a commercial chick grit with probiotics made by MannaPro and their packaging includes a guaranteed analysis of microorganisms: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus foecium, Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus brevis, and Lactobacillus plantarum. live microorganisms. My question is is Enterococcus foecium beneficial for chicks? For that matter are any of the Lactobacilli listed? Many thanks!

 

[azygous]

Yes, it's very good for the intestines of chicks. It helps them utilize nutrients more efficiently for proper growth.

All of those good enzymes are naturally present in fermented feed. You could save your money by fermenting the chick feed.

 

[Tippy Hedren]

Yes, it's very good for the intestines of chicks. It helps them utilize nutrients more efficiently for proper growth.

All of those good enzymes are naturally present in fermented feed. You could save your money by fermenting the chick feed.

 

[Tippy Hedren]

azygous - Hi - Thank you very much for responding!
The only info I found online was at the Merck Veterinary Manual which states both:
1) "Enterococcus spp isolated from birds with clinical disease include E avium, E cecorum,E durans, E faecalis, E faecium, and E hirae. E faecalis affects birds of all ages, but infection is especially devastating for embryos and young chicks."
and,
2) "Although enterococcosis has been reported in poultry species, it should also be noted that some strains of Enterococcus have a beneficial effect on growth and feed efficiency and are used as probiotics."
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/enterococcosis/enterococcosis-in-poultry
Unfortunately, this contradiction brought me back to square one with the question.

We are raising these chicks in an area where temperatures are on the rise and Im very concerned about proliferating virulent pathogens in this new normal, especially anything that could affect my older chickens, kitties or kids.
I have concerns also about the correlation between the fermented chick feed and associated sour crop that 's been reported.
Im hoping you can share for how long and how many chicks you've enjoyed success with this - and also does anyone happen to know if all starter feeds have grit?
Thank you for your response.



https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/enterococcosis/enterococcosis-in-poultry

 

[azygous]

Let's see. I've been raising chickens for a bit over twelve years. I've been feeding fermented feed for perhaps eight years. I've never had any health issues related to the feed, never had it go moldy or bad.

In fact, I've had tremendously good results from it as evidenced by the number of healthy "old" hens in my flock (four between the ages of eight and eleven years), and the number of hens laying regularly beyond age six.

This is all in spite of having a serious avian virus in my flock from the beginning.

I've never bought any chick feed that included grit. I wouldn't. It's not necessary.

 

[ElaynasChick]

Hey guys!! i just got the Chick boost probiotics and i am wondering how long should i use it for its a pretty big bag for probiotics so should i put it in there water every day until it is gone? or what. it's a 8oz bag. and it makes 22.5 gallons of water, 10 grams of the powder to a gallon of water.

 

[ElaynasChick]

Can't hurt. Go for it.

okay it will probably last until there fully feathered like 6 weeks or longer!

 

[ElaynasChick]

I'd use it maybe a week to 10 days, mostly to help chicks through shipping/new home stress. Don't try and use up the bag, you'll never use it up unless you have a massive batch of chicks.

okay maybe then i will only use it that long

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You can refrigerate what you don't use and periodically put some in their water, perhaps weekly.
Is your water city/county water with chloramines or from a chlorinated well?
That can kill the bacteria in the probiotics.

I highly recommend Gro2Max powder. It consists of beneficial bacteria and yeasts formulated specifically for chickens but can be used for waterfowl and other birds.
I put it in all chicks first water and then a little for a couple weeks according to dosing instructions. However, if I use it, I use an aquarium de-chlorinator in the water first before adding the powder. If the bacteria is dead when the chicks drink it, it is nothing more than a placebo in your mind.
https://gro2max.com/

 

[ElaynasChick]

You can refrigerate what you don't use and periodically put some in their water, perhaps weekly.
Is your water city/county water with chloramines or from a chlorinated well?
That can kill the bacteria in the probiotics.

I highly recommend Gro2Max powder. It consists of beneficial bacteria and yeasts formulated specifically for chickens but can be used for waterfowl and other birds.
I put it in all chicks first water and then a little for a couple weeks according to dosing instructions. However, if I use it, I use an aquarium de-chlorinator in the water first before adding the powder. If the bacteria is dead when the chicks drink it, it is nothing more than a placebo in your mind.
https://gro2max.com/

We use well water straight from the ground.