sugar, acv, milk for chicks?

[pathwayholding]

I've been lurking around the chicken forums and am now royally confused. Some say to add sugar to the baby chicks water the first day they arrive to help them perk up. Both ACV and milk have been suggested to prevent coccydosis (sp?) Anybody tried any of the above?

path

[Drawbar]

I don't know about sugar, but I have given many calfs that seemed kind of weak, gatorade. Don't laugh, the stuff that is in gatorade is quite similar to the colostrum from the mom. Its not the same of course, but it has a lot of minerals and electrolytes that can perk them up.

I don't have chickens, but if I did, and they seemed weak, I would give them gatorade.

Not saying it will work for them, but it does for cows and sheep??? ???

[farmgal]

poultry suppliers sell electrolyte mixes which are, essentially, gatorade. Good to have on hand for any creature suffering from stress, particularly dehydration.

[ms-woman]

I always add a little sugar to the water when they arrive, it perks them up quick. I read it in one of the hatchery mags. Its worked for me.

[tiggermeriffic]

What we do when we get our chicks is mix a little black strap molasses with some water and dip there beaks in before we let them loose. Remeber just a little molasses goes a long way.