Can I give B Complex to my chickens and ducks.

[nlossing]

We used to have a couple of goats, and one of the survival things we had on hand was Vitamin B Complex for a boost if need be. What I was wondering is if I could put this in my chicken and ducks water? Our male Pekin duck has developed a cough, because our weather is cold one day and warm the next. I mean not just cold I mean 30's during the day to teens at night then high 50's the next day. So the birds are up and down. Even though they have a 200 w light on all day and given warm water to drink this is no match for fluctuating weather. Please help if any ideas on using this vitamin.

 

[uphilljill]

I also have goats and sometimes give newly hatched chicks and sick/injured chickens Vitamin B Complex in their water if I don't have a poultry specific vitamin on hand. B Complex vitamins are water soluble and hard to overdose - like goats they should just excrete what they don't use - but birds don't need much. I usually just add 1/2 - 1 cc to a gal of water.

An occasional vitamin boost won't hurt them. But if your duck has a cough and some kind of respiratory illness, he may need antibiotics. I don't have ducks, but others here may be able to help you determine that.

 

[nlossing]

The vitamin B complex I have is an injection vitamin. Does that matter if it is an injection and I use it as an oral. and does it hurt to give it to egg layer s because the ducks and the chicken share the same water.

 

[uphilljill]

That's what I've used as well. It's not ideal (since it's not labeled or formulated specifically for poultry) but if it's all you have on hand it will work in a pinch.

I'm not a vet, but my understanding is that since it's a vitamin (and not a medicine or dewormer) there is no withdrawal time for your egg flock. It won't hurt any of them (may even help with a deficiency or stress) but it also won't cure anyone who has an infection or disease. Most labels say: No multi-vitamin supplement can be recommended for specific disease treatment.

http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/167/vitamin-b-deficiencies

Good luck with your duck.

 

[nlossing]

Tthanks so much I'll see what i can do for my Pekin duck. I think your right about an upper respiratory. Thanks again.