Sulfur for chickens: what is it for and instructions for use, how to give it correctly
Feed sulfur for chickens and hens is a completely safe food product if it is given to the bird without exceeding the prescribed dosage. This fine lemon-colored powder is mixed into food or sprinkled into water. The drug improves the functioning of the digestive system, accelerates the growth of feathers, increases the immunity of birds. He althy hens put on weight faster and lay better.
Why do we need feed sulfur
In veterinary pharmacies and pet stores you can find such a drug as fodder sulfur. It is a lemon yellow powder. It looks like cornmeal.It is added to feed or water for birds and made into ash baths to get rid of parasites. Sulfur is taken as a preventive measure to improve digestion, cleanse the respiratory system, increase the tone of the nervous system.
Powder helps to get rid of toxins, worms. Useful substances available in feed are better absorbed after taking the drug. The bird begins to eat less, but gains weight faster. Increased egg production of laying hens. Sulfur is prescribed for the treatment of aperiosis, that is, in the absence or during the loss of feathers.
This powder does not dissolve well in water. In the presence of liquid or organic substances, sulfur forms sulfurous anhydrite, hydrogen sulfide, oxygen and sulfurous alkalis. Once inside, it transforms into a number of elements and irritates the receptors of the digestive tract, providing a mild laxative effect. Hydrogen sulfide is partially absorbed from the intestines, and then excreted through the lungs and acts as an expectorant.
Feed properties
Fine sulfur powder can be used as a flavor enhancer and added to feed. In microdoses, it is completely safe for birds. This substance does not have any negative effect on the body of laying hens, but individual sulfur intolerance may occur in birds.
Overdose always results in poisoning. This must be remembered when adding sulfur to the feed. It is useful to give the powder to chickens in the spring, during beriberi, to avoid lethargy, loss of appetite, loss of feathers.
The drug has a neutral taste, laying hens will eat it with pleasure. Usually this substance is added to premixes and vitamin supplements for chickens. Sulfur improves the taste of eggs and poultry meat.
Benefits for chickens
Sulfur activates metabolism, increases appetite.In laying hens, egg production increases. After taking the drug, the birds grow faster, their quality of the feather cover improves. It is advisable to give the powder to chickens in the fall, during the molting period, so that they do not lose all their feathers. In cold weather, taking the drug ensures normal thermoregulation.
Sulfur in small quantities starts the cleansing processes in the liver, rids the body of harmful toxins and poisons. Removes parasites from the intestines. In microdoses, this substance helps the bird recover faster from illness.
How to give it to chickens
Sulfur can be given to chickens starting from the 7th day of life, however, in microdoses. A new supplement must be introduced into the diet carefully, in small quantities, to avoid poisoning. The powder is mixed into the feed or poured into the drinker.
Sulfur is best given to birds during the morning feeding. The duration of the course of treatment is no more than one month.
Powder can be added to any food.
Symptoms indicating that the bird's body lacks sulfur:
- feather falling out;
- loss of appetite;
- exhaustion;
- sluggishness;
- low egg production.
Instructions for using the powder inside:
- for 100 chickens aged 7-15 days - 0.5 grams once a day;
- for 100 chickens aged 15-30 days - 1 gram once a day;
- for 100 chickens aged 30-60 days - 2.5 grams once a day;
- for 10 adult layers - 1 gram once a day.
Important! When adding sulfur to bird feed, the exact dosage must be observed.
Exceeding the amount of powder can lead to poisoning of chickens. It is better to measure the substance on an electronic scale. Usually the drug is given on the basis of the whole herd.
Sulfur can be used to get rid of feather mites and parasites. Birds are given baths of ash and sand. Components are taken in equal proportions. Add 100 grams of sulfur to a bucket of ash mixture.
Storage rules
Feed sulfur is sold in sachets of 5-10 grams or in plastic bags weighing 0.5-1 kilogram. It has the appearance of a fine lemon-colored powder. Inside the package there is an instruction for the use of this drug with the exact dosage.
Sulphur must be used within 3 years from the date of manufacture or until the expiration date indicated on the label. Store the powder at room temperature, away from sunlight, heating devices. The room must be protected from moisture, precipitation, wind. The drug should be kept out of the reach of children. Do not store sulfur near food.
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