Probiotic is a word we often use, but what exactly are they and why do our hens need them?
We have all heard about good and bad gut bacteria and gut flora, you can’t turn on the TV these days without seeing adverts for healthy products to balance your gut. Probiotics are microorganisms that are believed to provide health benefits when consumed. It is widely believed that probiotics improve and strengthen the immune system too. We are encouraged to consume ‘friendly’ bacteria regularly.
Probiotics for hens
Most diarrheas and dietary upsets in our hens can be traced back to dietary problems and often a probiotic is all that is needed to get your hens back onto the straight and narrow. Probiotics should always be given if your hen has been prescribed a course of antibiotics. We have also found them useful after a bout of sour crop or vent gleet when yeasts get a foothold and disrupt the delicate normal balance.
What we recommend
On our shop website, we promote a few products that contain ‘friendly bacteria. They are each different and provide different care depending on your hen’s situation.
Chicken Vet Beryl’s Friendly bacteria is perhaps the best known. It comes in a sachet that needs to be kept refrigerated. Water is added to create a paste that can be syringed into your hen’s beak. Aged hens also benefit from Beryl’s every few months to keep them in good health.
You can also use Avipro Avian which is enhanced with vitamins A, C, and E for birds including wild, cage, and aviary. Its high palatability means that it can be added to drinking water, making it suitable to use for all bird species. It is particularly valuable when hens are undergoing stress or veterinary treatment for long and short-term conditions. An added bonus is that Avipro Avian can be given to egg layers where the eggs are going to be eaten.
Lastly, the BHWT Shop also stocks Feathers & Beaky Superfood Probiotic Treat. It’s a little pouch of goodness containing 100% natural health-boosting ingredients that your chickens will love. Filled with tasty herbal pellets, the botanical herbs and flowers have been used for many years to naturally treat ailments, and this mixture has been selected specially to boost the immune system and improve disease resistance amongst your flock.
