Home made electrolyte recipe

Here is the link if you would like to read the article http://communitychickens.blogspot.ca/2012/07/homemade-electrolyte-recipe-hot-weather.html

Thanks PC. I will be adding that to everyone's water today! 33 with humidity of 43. Then storms to look forward to all night. Ugh.

Good idea! I will add it to the boar's water. He really seems to suffer in the heat.

Just wanted to bump this up since the weather is so hot, would hate for anyone to lose any birds

Awesome, I'm writing this one down. Thanks PC.

Oooh, cool, just noticed the emoticons are back at the side of the window where I type, so mmmuch easier than scrolling down below the window to grab one.  Good one, if this was you Jonny.   

Yes, good.

I wonder about this.  Are electrolytes lost from sweating?  Mammals sweat, fowl do not sweat.  I think that sweating means loss of electrolytes.  A chicken pants, like a dog, but do they sweat?  I am not sure that I am about to give my chickens electrolyte water cause they might drink too much water and then that is not good for them either.  Too much water gives then loose poo.  I don't know.  I don't think in nature birds get electrolytes, unless they make it themselves.  I am not going to give electrolyte water to my chickens.  But, if someone can enlighten me on why they would need this please do.  I am always interested in learning stuff that is good for my birds, if there is evidence, and good evidence to back this up.  My birds are drinking lots of water, and seem pretty happy, even with this heat, panting yes, but then birds pant.  Even watched some magpies panting the other day, weird.  Have an awesome day, CynthiaM.

I only give electrolytes in the water of stressed or ailing chickens, and luckily have not had too in quite some time. (knock, knock) I think the idea is too help replenish the bodies natural enegry reserves, kind of a pick me up when your feeling down. I do use ACV in my chickens water regularly though. They seem to like it. And I'll give vitamins (poul-vite) on occasion too.

Thanks for posting.

Like Cynthia I am skeptical. On a hot day access to plain water is the best for healthy chickens. I wouldn't go giving electrolytes unless an animal were dehydrated first, and even then I would hesitate. There are dangers to too much electrolyte consumption. I couldn't find an animal article, but here is a human one:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/521763-can-you-consume-too-much-electrolytes/

I think in animals that produce sweat, sweat carrying salt, wen eed sweating creatures to recharge their Electrolux.

But dogs and chickens do NOT sweat, do NOT lose salt through their hides, but rather pant to give off moisture. Giving them salt may create an imbalance in their Electrolux. They may need plain water to recharge and maybe cool water applied to body to bring down internal temp.

Uno, an Electrolux is a vacuum!! I am sure that you know that and I am goshing ya!! Again, don't think I would electrocute the water, oops, I mean put electrolyte water into my birds diet. They don't sweat. I think I am eating too much salt, my ankles feel a little puffy these past two days   . But I sweat so much.....well, I think I do, I don't smell, but I surely do drip, right into me eyes, need to wear a sweat band I think     have beautiful days, CynthiaM.

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Electrolytes are also lost in urine/feces (especially if diarrhea). So if in really hot temps your animals have excessive diarrhea then replacing the electrolytes may be necessary. Also in the case of dehydration, your urine is more concentrated therefore may lead to increasing loss of electrolytes.

You do need to be careful about too much electrolytes (and too little) as they are important in many body functions including the heart function and swinging either way can cause serious consequences

So for me, unless my chickens are sick or symptomatic, they will get regular water  

Honestly, they seem to prefer the underground creek that comes up to the surface and runs down their fence to their waterers! Probably colder and fresher!  

Ok that's my two cents now off to work I must go!