Guest IB Posted January 31, 2009 Report Posted January 31, 2009 I give my birds 1 tea spoon of salt + 4 sugar in 2lt of water once a week when racing in hot weather and it has never done them any harm. Doctors use to give this to new born babies in their bottle if they had vomiting and diarrhea to stop them dehydrating Agree with what you say about rehydration formula given to small children with diarrhea, which has saved countless lives especially in the third world. Hard to believe anyone could die of diarrhea. But the issue I have with giving something like this to birds is that the birds aren't ill with a life-threatening condition. So don't see any point in giving it or salt on its own either, as this must alter salt / water balance, and as its in the drinking water, don't see how the bird can balance that out.
Guest Posted January 31, 2009 Report Posted January 31, 2009 Long drawers. :X yes cant beat a good pair of long johns
pigeonscout Posted January 31, 2009 Report Posted January 31, 2009 Agree with what you say about rehydration formula given to small children with diarrhea, which has saved countless lives especially in the third world. Hard to believe anyone could die of diarrhea. But the issue I have with giving something like this to birds is that the birds aren't ill with a life-threatening condition. So don't see any point in giving it or salt on its own either, as this must alter salt / water balance, and as its in the drinking water, don't see how the bird can balance that out. You make a good point but would the body not turn the sugar into energy and flush any salt the body did not need back out. I am not 100% sure on this and I am always willing to learn it is just something I pick up from joop koch when he was here at my loft. If you could show me data that says a small amount of salt once a week is not good for them then I will take your advice and stop using it.
sapper756 Posted February 1, 2009 Author Report Posted February 1, 2009 Just had the dog for a walk, no snow yet here in Fife, but very cold wind, think we will get snow later :-/
Guest Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 take a look out your window old pic stevie ;D ;D ;D ;D fine day my side of the town
Taylorsloft Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 old pic stevie ;D ;D ;D ;D fine day my side of the town its coming from the east it hasn't got up to you yet :P
Guest IB Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 You make a good point but would the body not turn the sugar into energy and flush any salt the body did not need back out. I am not 100% sure on this and I am always willing to learn it is just something I pick up from joop koch when he was here at my loft. If you could show me data that says a small amount of salt once a week is not good for them then I will take your advice and stop using it. The organ which flushes salt from the body is the kidneys, and it needs water to do this. Stands to reason that if the water also contains salt, then it must cause problems. It is old news now, but our governments and health agencies have been trying for years to get us [and food manufacturers] to reduce salt intake on our food. It's reckoned we shouldn't need to add salt to our diet, our needs are already met from normal foodstuffs. Like all the trace stuff, we need salt in very very small amounts, for a human its 6 grammes per day, so for birds at a tiny proportion of our weight 6 grammes must equal around 6 months supply needs. The link I've posted is for humans, and dates back to 1994, it shows the affect salt has on blood pressure, and one that I didn't know about - excessive salt means the body loses calcium. http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/DietandLifestyle/salt-health-danger-research.htm
REDROCKET Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 this frozen water thing again out at night and in with fresh in morning never mind the expence of heaters , socks , salts water birds when feeding them let them drink all day then take water away put fresh in in morning after all im sure some of you lot have went without a drink for the same length of time .
OLDYELLOW Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 take a look out your window had a small dusting of snow here but soon melted probably get some more as the day goes on
shotgun tim Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 been hailing on and off most of the morning
pigeonscout Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 The organ which flushes salt from the body is the kidneys, and it needs water to do this. Stands to reason that if the water also contains salt, then it must cause problems. It is old news now, but our governments and health agencies have been trying for years to get us [and food manufacturers] to reduce salt intake on our food. It's reckoned we shouldn't need to add salt to our diet, our needs are already met from normal foodstuffs. Like all the trace stuff, we need salt in very very small amounts, for a human its 6 grammes per day, so for birds at a tiny proportion of our weight 6 grammes must equal around 6 months supply needs. The link I've posted is for humans, and dates back to 1994, it shows the affect salt has on blood pressure, and one that I didn't know about - excessive salt means the body loses calcium. http://www.internethealthlibrary.com/DietandLifestyle/salt-health-danger-research.htm I hear what you say about people having enough salt in their diet without adding more but can the same be said of a pigeons diet. Pick stones and minerals contain salt and the pigeons that are given these seem to be in a far better condition than the birds that do not have them. I have sent you a PM with a link to a site I think if you have not already read it you will find it very interesting. The way I give salt to my birds may not be the best way but until I find a better way of making sure each bird has it I will give it in the water once a week and they can flush the excess out out the next with the fresh water. I sent you a pm with link to a site you may find it good reading.
jimmy white Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 very grey looking here now,, but fair , but water not frozen this morning [only me ;D ;D,, long johns under the kilt works wonders , along with wooly hat [on your head off course ;D] ive noticed the water doesnt feexe so readily with a little babies bottle cleaning milton in it,, after sterilizing the water, it will leave a very small amount of salt in the water, which can help in both ways alan ;D ;D ;D if salts that bad for them ;D ;D ;D,, just take look whats in your minerals , grits etc,,,,salt , even bleach,, ;D in your black minerals ;D just acase of a little of what you fancy does you good ;D ;D ;D
Guest IB Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 Nothing yet, the cloud cover has broken and we have sun shining through. Think our turn is tonight though, coming off the NE.
Guest Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 ;Dthe water shouldnt freeze if its snowing?? only if theres a sharp drop in temperature :X . few specks landing here in north wales ,but not sticking . andy.
Guest chrisss Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 bugger all here at the moment but then again even the rubbish weather avoids herts ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Guest Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 bugger all here at the moment but then again even the rubbish weather avoids herts ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;Daccording to the forecast ,"you shall have snow" Chris , like the name of your house too ............bugger hall ;D ;D ;D ;D andy.
grizzal Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 bugger all here at the moment but then again even the rubbish weather avoids herts ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D chrisss we got it now ;D ;D ;D ;D
Guest chrisss Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 chrisss we got it now ;D ;D ;D ;D you won't believe it but not down this end of town yet ;D ;D
kev01293 Posted February 1, 2009 Report Posted February 1, 2009 started snowing about 2pm today in crawley and has been snowing lightly on and off since with just a thin layer on ground now
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