|
Knowing about electrolytes and how to make your own solution can be very helpful to your poultry. Pedialyte can be purchased over the counter, but you can easily make the solution yourself, which will contain healthier ingredients. Homemade Electrolyte Receipe 2 tbl honey or molasses Molasses and honey contain certain nutrients, but neither really has any nutritional advantage over another. So choose either to your preference. Molasses Molasses is the crushed up plant material with or without some of the sugars removed. It has a characteristic taste and a mild antioxidant quality that can delay the spoilage of food to which it is added. The quality of molasses depends on whether it is the primary product or a byproduct of sugar production. Good, unsulfured molasses is made with a 200-year-old process using mature cane and aged before selling. Sulfured molasses is a byproduct from sugar production using green cane. It contains the residue of sulfur extraction of the sugar. Blackstrap molasses is the lowest grade of molasses-the remaining product when all the profitable material has been extracted. Honey Honey symbolizes natural and healthful foods; people with sensitivities are less likely to react to honey than to sugar. In a raw state it contains beneficial enzymes and nutrients, but the nutrients left in honey depends greatly on the method of extraction used. Honey from a reputable organic source is a healthy replacement for refined sugar, but there are a few things you should be aware of if you do not buy certified organic honey. Honey in the comb is no guarantee of buying raw honey, since treated honey is frequently put into clean, empty combs. Botulism spores sometimes appear in low enough concentrations that they will not bother healthy adults, but children under two and anyone with a compromised immune system could be. Honey combs may also be fumigated by toxic chemicals, leaving pesticide and herbicide residues in the honey. As a first line of defense, I would always try to give young or baby birds some electrolytes after they first hatch and if they are not eating and drinking, and are weak. Chances are the electrolytes are out of balance in their bodies, and this will get things going. If they don't respond to this, you will know that perhaps the problem runs deeper. Electrolytes are minerals, acids, bases and salts found in the blood and other bodily fluids (such as sodium, calcium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, and bicarbonate). Electrolytes carry an electric charge which regulates how and where the fluids are distributed throughout the body. It is important for the balance of electrolytes to be maintained, because they affect the amount of water in your body, blood pH, muscle action, and other important processes. Sodium plays a major role in regulating the amount of water in the body. Also, the passage of sodium in and out of cells is necessary for many body functions, like transmitting electrical signals in the brain and in the muscles. Dehydration from diarrhea or inadequate fluid intake can cause the sodium levels to become abnormally high or low and can cause weakness or lethargy. Potassium is essential to regulate how the heart beats. When potassium levels are too high or too low, it can increase the risk of an abnormal heartbeat. Low potassium levels are also associated with muscle weakness. Bicarbonate prevents the body's tissues from getting too much or too little acid. The kidney and lungs balance the levels of bicarbonate in the body.
This recipe may be used in place of an over-the-counter product (Pedialyte), 3 Tablespoons of
Sugar Pour together and
shake well, being certain that all dry ingredients are fully Moonlight Mile Herb Farm © 2010 Susan Burek |