Last Updated on June 8, 2023 by Georgie Smith
Why you need Electrolytes right now for your Chicken
There are large communities of homesteaders who have chickens as pets. Some people choose to have their chickens lay eggs, others as an entertainment source. Whatever reasons you may have a chicken for they still come with health problems.
One of the most common issues among owners is figuring out how to manage the chicken’s health properly. We can all agree that we want our chickens to be healthy and stress-free. If you are not managing your chicken’s stress with electrolytes, then there is a chance your flock’s mortality rate could be rising.
Can electrolytes really help, aren’t they a hoax? No, they are not a hoax! Chickens taking electrolytes is similar to us adding vitamins to our morning routine.
See Also:
Chicken Water-the Gatorade for chickens
The most prominent contributing factor to chickens stress escalating is dehydration. That can be because of hot weather or poor ventilation in their coop. Humans, when overheated from exercise, need to replenish any minerals or vitamins that have left the body. Often we reach for Gatorade. However, what do chickens drink to put back nutrients in their body?
Q: Is there a Gatorade for chickens?
A: We can alleviate stress by giving our chickens diluted electrolyte powder. That is similar to how Gatorade works for humans.
Electrolytes and Vitamin Powders: How They Work
What are electrolytes/vitamin powders? An agricultural manufacturer produces these powders to help sick chickens. Manufacturers know the common homestead chicken health issues. They keep in mind to add vitamins and minerals that help support this article.
Usually, this solution comes in the form of a supplement powder diluted with water. You then give it to your chicken when it is a hot day or any situation where the chicken may be stressed. The vitamins and electrolytes in the powder mix can help but what are they?
Difference between vitamins and electrolytes?
Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals. And, minerals are the main component of electrolytes. Understanding the difference between vitamins and electrolytes can be overwhelming if we do not know the difference between minerals and vitamins. So the questions you are asking is actually a different one.
What are you really asking is why are minerals a part of electrolytes? What is the difference between a vitamin and electrolyte?
Are electrolytes vitamins or minerals?
It is hard to understand if electrolytes are a vitamin or a mineral when they seem similar. To get rid of the confusion let’s understand the definition of all these terms first. So what are electrolytes?[table “4” not found /]
From this graph we have learned:
- Electrolytes are minerals in your body that have an electrical charge.
- Minerals can be part of an electrolyte but also can stand on its own.
- Vitamins are the nutrients your chicken needs in its body to function properly.
We know now that electrolytes are composed of minerals. The minerals in electrolytes are not average. They are unique by the key feature of having an electrical charge. Since electrolytes have electrically charged minerals in its structure, it means that the minerals are the central star.
Q: So, are electrolytes vitamins or minerals?
A: An electrolyte is more mineral than a vitamin.
Don’t worry if by now your rubbing your temples because of information overload. The information presented will help you with making strategic buying decisions. It is essential to understand the terms so you as a buyer can use them to determine which product is best for you to buy. How about this? Let’s take the information we have learned and apply it to a real scenario that is common with homesteads.
When do chickens need electrolytes and vitamins?
John Doe just got one of his first chickens after watching a show about backyard chickens. Everything was smooth sailing until this week. He walked out onto his front porch and noticed that his chicken, Jewel, was acting very odd.
She started digging herself into the dirt. John decided to check her to see if anything was wrong but couldn’t recognize any physical symptoms. He went inside to research and decided to give Jewel apple cider vinegar, to clean out any bug she may have.
Later that day he noticed that she was panting really fast. John Doe became frustrated, as he could not understand why Jewel was acting so strange. The phone rang so he went back inside the house to answer it. When he came back to continue what he was doing, he realized that his chicken was no longer alive.
What went wrong?
How electrolytes and vitamins help your sick Chicken
When your chicken overheats like Jewel, it loses minerals and vitamins. Minerals and vitamins are essential to the daily functions of the chickens as we discussed before. Jewel made attempts to cool herself down by digging herself in the dirt. However, at that point, she had already reached the point of heat exhaustion.
The minerals and vitamins in her body were diminishing, and she was heating up at a faster rate. John Doe also did not have a plentiful water supply set out for her. He did not take into consideration that it was now summertime. Resulting in his chicken needs not being met.
It is essential to give your chicken electrolyte powder that contains minerals, essential vitamins, and nutrients.
Q: When do chickens need electrolyte and vitamin powder given to them?
A: When they become overheated, stressed, dehydrated, or it is really hot outside.
That is why we need to feed our chickens supplements to get all the nutrients our chickens need. A lot of the powders in our best electrolytes and vitamins Amazon list, have both of these components in it.
Make sure to read the signs your chicken is stressed out guide below, to decide if buying a powder is right for you. If you decide that your chicken has any of these problems, take a look at our top ten list to help with your buying decision.
Chicken Care: Signs your chick is stressed out
Giving your chicken this solution will also help keep them hydrated. Remember to provide pure water in a separate container too.
It is not good practice to just randomly administrate this soluble to your chickens. Do your due diligence and check your chicken for stress problems. Here are a few indicators of heat stress:
- Having difficulty breathing
- They are panting
- Dark combs become pale
- Dark wattles become pale
- Lifting wings away from their body
- Your chicken seems really tired or lethargic
- Diarrhea
- Chicken has seizures
- Chicken has convulsions
- Stops laying eggs
Now that you are sure your chick is stressed consider buying an electrolyte supplement. Not sure what to buy? Do not worry; we have you covered.
| Picture | Product Name | Features |
|---|---|---|
 |
Save-a-Chick Electrolyte Vitamin Supplement | – Brand: Electrolyte – Easy to Use – Vitamin Supplement |
 |
Durvet 136028 Vitamins & Electrolytes, 8 oz | – Easy to use – Vitamins & Electrolytes – Value for money |
 |
Vitamins and Electrolytes with Lactobacillus | – Item Form – Powder – Brand – Rooster Booster – Weight – 0.5 Pounds |
 |
Vitamins & Electrolytes 4 oz by Durvet | – Size: 4 oz – Brand – Durvet – Flavor – Unflavored |
 |
Vitamins & Electrolytes Plus 4 oz by Agrilabs | – Agri Laboratories Ltd – Unit Count – 1.00 Count – Item Form – Powder |
 |
Poultry & Poultry Chick Vitamins Plus | – 4 Pack – Chick Vitamins – Easy to Use |
 |
Layer Boost 120 mg Durvet | – LAYER BOOST 120gm – DURVET 6/BX 24/CS – EASY TO USE |
 |
Nuun Sport: Electrolyte Drink Tablets | – Brand – Nuun – Flavor – Citrus Berry Mix – Product Benefits – Hydrating |
 |
Supplement for Poultry 3 pack | – Easy to Use – Brand: Electrolyte – Vitamin Supplement |
 |
Durvet Vitamins & Electrolytes for Livestock, 100g | – Brand – Durvet – Weight – 0.25 Pounds – Cattle, Horse, Sheep |
Here’s the list of the best electrolytes and vitamins for chickens
Save-a-Chick Electrolyte Vitamin Supplement
“For birds of all ages. A poultry electrolyte and vitamin supplement for use in drinking water during periods of hot weather or other stress. May be used alone or with Sav-A-Chick® Probiotic.”
Buy On Amazon
Sav-a-Chick Durvet 136028 Vitamins & Electrolytes 8 oz
“A water-soluble premix of vitamins and electrolytes specifically formulated as a water or feed additive; for use when animals are subject to conditions of stress.”
Buy On Amazon
Rooster Booster Vitamins and Electrolytes with Lactobacillus
“Rooster Booster chicken vitamins are ideal to use for all birds at times of stress or illness but are mainly formulated for increased egg-laying, healthy growth, and breeding programs.
Rooster Booster poultry-formulated vitamin feed additives in your poultry rations are an essential tool to promote healthy growth, increased reproduction, and lower mortality rates.”
Buy On Amazon
Vitamins & Electrolytes 4 oz by Durvet
“A water soluble premix of vitamins and electrolytes specifically formulated as a water or feed additive; for use when animals are subject to conditions of stress.”
Buy On Amazon
Vitamins & Electrolytes Plus 4 oz by Agrilabs
“Soluble vitamin supplement powder which includes Vitamin A Supplement, Vitamin D Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement and others.”
Buy On Amazon
Poultry & Poultry Chick Vitamins Plus
“Vitamins Plus -In addition to the usual vitamins and electrolytes, GQF -Vitamins Plus contains and a supplemental of live naturally occurring microorganisms, such as Lactobacillus.”
Buy On Amazon
Layer Boost 120 mg Durvet
“Durvet Layer Boost with Omega-3 contains a blend of vitamins, electrolytes, enzyme, omega 3, and Marigold for daily use with layer chickens. Contains a source of live (viable) direct fed microorganisms.”
Buy On Amazon
Nuun Sports Pro-Life-Lytes Mega Tablets 40 Servings
“Life-Lytes MEGA TABS is the perfect way to supplement your flock during times of extreme heat or stress.”
Buy On Amazon
Sav-A-Chick Electrolyte and Vitamin Supplement for Poultry 3 pack
“For birds of all ages. A poultry electrolyte and vitamin supplement for use in drinking water during periods of hot weather or other stress. May be used alone or with Sav-A-Chick® Probiotic.”
Buy On Amazon
Vitamins & Electrolytes for Livestock and Poultry 100 Gram
“A water-soluble premix of vitamins and electrolytes specifically formulated as a water or feed additive; for use when animals are subject to conditions of stress.”
Buy On Amazon
FAQs:
Q: How to make electrolytes for chickens?
A: You can buy electrolyte powders to mix. Read the ratio instructions on the product label that tells you how much powder to water to mix. Follow that measurement and mix until dissolved. Always serve mixed solution with a separate container of plain drinking water.
When I did my research, I visited many sites, and they all had a variation of this recipe.
Say you have maybe a few ailing chicks. Maybe they are dehydrated, overheated, cold or experiencing diarrhea.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2 teaspoon of sugar
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of baking soda
- Mix this into 1 cup of water
Then add this electrolyte to one gallon of water and then add it to their water supply in order to give it to the chickens.
For small chickens or even severely ill or droopy chicken, feed them with a medicine dropper. Drip it onto their beaks if they don’t open their mouths, after a while, they should open their mouth.
Give them this medicine until they regain the energy. Depending on how sick they are, this may require that you separate them from the flock for a while.
Since adult chickens aren’t as delicate as baby chicks, you won’t need to use the dropper to feed them the homemade electrolyte. You can just add it to their water.
However, if the adult chickens are really sick, you might want to feed them directly.
Q: Can chickens overdose on electrolytes?
A: When looking at the instructions we can see that each manufacturer is different. Each one has a different gauge for how much mix should mix to the water. The best way to make sure your solution become diluted is to read the instructions on your product.
Chickens have a maximum capacity for nutrients like humans. Be careful that you do not give too much as it could cause excess sodium. Side effects could lead to problems in the chicken’s system and other health issues. So they would really be overdosing on salt not electrolytes.
Q: How can I prevent an “overdose” when I give them electrolytes and vitamin powder?
A: Some of the powders come in bulk. It is important to calculate and know the measurement beforehand. When you go to mix your powder into the water keeps this in mind. It would be even better to use a kitchen scale to measure for accuracy.
Your mix must dilute as concentrated forms run a higher risk of nutrient overload. It is very common for the powders made for more larger animals to have a higher concentration. Some of the products listed are also capable of being used for a larger stock like cattle.
Which means extra care has to go into making sure the water dilutes appropriately. Also, make it a habit to always have another container full of natural drinking water for your chickens. That should be alongside your mix.
Sodium supplements are known to trigger thirst. The first thing you want your chicken to drink when they are thirsty should be pure water, not sodium.
Q: How hot should the weather be to given my chicken the powder?
A: Usually you should start monitoring your chickens at around 85 to 95 degrees or when it is summer If you live somewhere like Texas. Know that your place is always hot, so check regularly for heat exhaustion.
When your chickens start panting you know it is time to take a look at them. It is important too because heat-induced stress leads to a heart stroke and even death.
Q: If I follow the package instructions by diluting the products do I have to replace it every day? Can I just leave it till it is gone?
A: No, you should change out your mixed solution daily as an average rule of thumb. Some manufacturers say 48 hours, but it would be good practice always to check this.
Q: Can I give electrolytes to my perfectly healthy chickens?
A: It’s not recommended to give then electrolytes on a regular basis when they are perfectly healthy. You should give it to them when they are sick. (more)
Q: Does dehydration count as sickness?
A: Yes, it does. Dehydration is a major problem in all animals and should be treated as soon as possible to prevent complications.
Q: Sickness?
A: Above we listed: overheating, cold (frostbite), dehydration, wry neck, and the chicken might just be weak.
Q: If my chickens are sick, how long should I feed them electrolytes for?
A: If you bought electrolyte, instructions should be on the packaging. If used the recipe we gave you in this article, continue giving it to them until you see results.
Q: Why are my hens not laying?
A: Stress, as previously stated, can affect chickens in many ways, and in this case, can affect egg production. When hens are particularly stressed, they may not lay eggs.
But, this may not only be because of stress. Your hens may stop laying due to some other reason entirely.
Maybe it’s the food, did you change their feeds recently? Are they getting enough protein in their diet? Protein is very important in egg production, so try to increase the amount of protein in their food.
Conclusion
Raising chickens require a lot of effort, time and thought. Their health needs to be at the forefront of your mind. You need to be able to spot problems and possible sickness in your flock in a timely and efficient manner. Fortunately, most ailments can be treated with electrolytes.
Electrolytes are minerals. They are what could be called ‘super minerals’ as they do a lot to maintain the body’s chemical balance. Electrolytes are important in maintaining fluid levels within the body as well as regulating acidity levels.
Mineral and vitamins while both important are different. Minerals occur naturally in the earth, in the soil, and are absorbed by plants then in-turn by animals and humans. While vitamins, on the other hand, can be produced by the body and can otherwise be found in food. Vitamins are generally used to maintain the body, while minerals enhance and maintain the body at a cellular level.
Chickens, like humans, need to replace the electrolytes used. Electrolytes are used up in physical activities, or through stress and through regular daily activities.
Stress in chickens can be because of high or low temperatures, sickness or simply dehydration. All of these can be treated with electrolytes, and all of these, if not dealt with quickly may prove fatal.
It has been stated many times throughout this article, but it bears repetition, vigilance is an important part of raising chickens. We have to be on the lookout for stressors and try our best to minimize them.
Something as simple as having a pet in the yard can be a stressor to the chickens, and in the long run, may lead to problems such as low or no egg production. It may even damage their immune system.
Overall, electrolytes are a must-have resource as they are so very versatile and always helpful. It’s actually really hard to go wrong when using them, especially when you read and follow the instructions on the various packaging.
What are your favorite electrolytes? Let us know in the comments below.
