Epsom salts and Chickens

by Steve
(CA)

Epsom salt is Magnesium Sulphate. Magnesium sulphate is one of the things one ingests to relieve constipation. It spasms the large bowel and causes diarrhea.

If you are giving you birds large amounts of fresh vegetables, they are going to have very loose stools.

We feed barley fodder that grow hydroponically year round we grow enough summer squash to supplement their fodder with about 10 to 15 pounds every other day. We also feed them a mix of grasses when it's available.

I guess my point is that If I were feeding dry mash and grain and my flock had watery stools, I would be take a closer look at it.

If any of my birds had black tarry stools I would be very concerned, but since fowl both urinate and defecate via their cloaca, loose stool could just be that the birds are drinking more water and eating food with a higher moisture content. It doesn't generally mean that the birds are sick.

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Hi Steve,

Many thanks for your contribution. I just wanted to point out that Epsom salts can be used for both constipation and diarrhea. It just depends on the amount you use. The more you use, the more chance you have of inducing diarrhea.

Basically, Epsom Salts helps balance the system if taken in the right doses - either way.

And BTW, it is not just chickens that do well on Epsom Salts, it is also safe for people.

Magnesium is a vital mineral involved in over 325 biochemical reactions in your body.

Shortages of magnesium are some causes of:

* Hair loss
* migraines
* muscle aches / leg cramps
* joint pain
* fatigue/low energy
* restless sleep
* increased chances of atherosclerosis
* strokes

I often take Epsom Salt baths allowing the skin to absorb the magnesium directly into the system as the skin is your largest organ.

Regards
Kathryn
Countryfarm Lifestyles