Probiotics Good or Bad?

[MargaChick]

Hi all,
What are everyone's thoughts regarding adding daily Probiotics to your flock's feed? I presently have a hen recovering from a bout of sour crop. I am thinking that it would be good to start adding probiotics to their diet. They are primarily in the run with a limited time free ranging.
If you do use probiotics, what products would you recommend? Daily dosage? Have you had positive results? Negative results? Basically, looking for overall advice on feeding for healthy flock. I am trying to be proactive. Thanks

 

[imnukensc]

No help here. I've never used probiotics.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, hope you are enjoying BYC!

I think probiotics *can* be beneficial.. during times of stress. NO supplement should be given more than 10 days in a row.

If all is balanced already... probiotics will have little to no effect. The body maintains it's own beneficial and bad bacteria... we are fully inhabited by them!

Some feeds already have probiotics added in. Reading the ingredients label will tell you.. as some feeds don't spend the funds for fancy bags and advertising but still have it.

A popular source for probiotics... is RAW, unfiltered, apple cider vinegar with "mother", added into the drinking water (I don't know the dosage as I bought it but don't use it)... no metal dispenser as the acids will leach stuff from them and eventually just rot them.

Other sources that are acceptable... small amounts of plain yogurt, butter milk, or fermenting your chicken feed a bit (has some benefit, but too much hype on increased protein and savings).

To me the VERY best thing that can be done... is proper nutrition NOT diminished by low nutrient treats like corn or scratch. While many of our formulated rations are heavily corn based... they have added vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to make them complete.

I don't know of anyone who had negative results. And I don't think they have equal benefit across the board... but I do believe OCCASIONAL supplements *CAN* help those that need it. If they don't truly need it... you are just wasting time, effort, and funds...

Glad your girl is recovering!

 

[coach723]

I use them if I've got a bird or birds that are ill, recovering from something, or are very stressed. If I have to treat for coccidiosis, I follow treatment with probiotics, if I have to treat with an antibiotic, I follow treatment with a probiotic. I do the same after worming.
I don't give them every day, personally, except for what they might get in something fed to them. I doubt giving them every day would be harmful, just not sure it would provide a lot of benefit for the $$. I will mix some in a mash of feed and water a couple of times a month. Probios makes an all species powder (which is why I feed it in a mash, it's well distributed), there are liquid poultry ones. I've used human capsules for individual birds at times, emptied and mixed into a bit of feed. Some of the poultry ones also contain vitamins, so if you want only probiotics (like during treatment with Corid) check the label to make sure what it contains.
This may help: http://blog.chickenwaterer.com/2015/03/probiotics-for-chickens.html

 

[chickens really]

Proper feed, limited scraps/ treats and fresh water is all they need. Time out to free range daily and it's simple. I never give supplements.

 

[MargaChick]

Hi, hope you are enjoying BYC!

I think probiotics *can* be beneficial.. during times of stress. NO supplement should be given more than 10 days in a row.

If all is balanced already... probiotics will have little to no effect. The body maintains it's own beneficial and bad bacteria... we are fully inhabited by them!

Some feeds already have probiotics added in. Reading the ingredients label will tell you.. as some feeds don't spend the funds for fancy bags and advertising but still have it.

A popular source for probiotics... is RAW, unfiltered, apple cider vinegar with "mother", added into the drinking water (I don't know the dosage as I bought it but don't use it)... no metal dispenser as the acids will leach stuff from them and eventually just rot them.

Other sources that are acceptable... small amounts of plain yogurt, butter milk, or fermenting your chicken feed a bit (has some benefit, but too much hype on increased protein and savings).

To me the VERY best thing that can be done... is proper nutrition NOT diminished by low nutrient treats like corn or scratch. While many of our formulated rations are heavily corn based... they have added vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to make them complete.

I don't know of anyone who had negative results. And I don't think they have equal benefit across the board... but I do believe OCCASIONAL supplements *CAN* help those that need it. If they don't truly need it... you are just wasting time, effort, and funds...

Glad your girl is recovering!

thank you for your very thorough feedback. What do you use for feed? Brand? pellets or crumble?