Anything higher than that, especially coupled with high humidity, starts to cause stress to their bodies. This signals their blood to flow to their extremities, and this added blood flow to their combs, wattles and skin as they struggle to stay cool reduces the flow to their vital organs.
I always want to find better ways to keep my chickens healthy and happy since I keep them in my backyard. Adding baking soda to the water is a tip I’ve heard from other chicken owners, but how much should you use? In this detailed guide, I’ll talk about what I’ve learned about the pros and cons of using baking soda on chickens, as well as the best ways to use it safely.
What Does Baking Soda Do for Chickens?
Soda bicarbonate, which is what baking soda is, is a mild base that can help balance out acids. When small amounts are added to chickens’ drinking water, it might help them in the following ways:
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It helps digestion and gut health. The crop, which stores food before digestion, can get too acidic. Baking soda creates a more balanced pH, preventing “sour crop. ” It also promotes good gut bacteria.
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Combats heat stress: Chickens pant to stay cool in hot weather. This causes a rise in blood pH. Baking soda helps stabilize pH levels.
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Aids chick health Young chicks have delicate digestive systems Baking soda creates an optimal digestive environment.
However, baking soda is not a cure-all. It should be used responsibly with close flock monitoring.
What’s the Recommended Amount of Baking Soda?
Most sources say to start with 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda per gallon of water. However, the right amount can change depending on things like the quality of the water.
Here are some key dosage considerations:
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Start low: Begin with 1⁄4 tsp per gallon and slowly increase to find the optimal level.
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Monitor water intake: If chickens drink less water with baking soda, lower the dosage.
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Consider water pH: Test your water. If it’s alkaline, less or no baking soda may be needed.
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Adjust as needed: Observe your flock and fine-tune the dosage based on their health and behavior.
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Error on the low side: Too much baking soda can cause health issues. When in doubt, err on the conservative side.
The proper dosage depends on your specific flock and conditions. Watch your chickens closely and adjust as needed.
When Should You Add Baking Soda to Water?
Here are some situations when baking soda water can be beneficial:
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New chicks transitioning to solid food.
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During heat waves to prevent electrolyte imbalance.
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Older hens experiencing issues like sour crop.
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After an illness when their digestive system needs support.
However, baking soda water should not be a constant. Use it for short periods when needed, not daily. And always provide plain water without baking soda too.
What Are the Risks of Too Much Baking Soda?
While baking soda is generally safe in moderation, too much can cause problems:
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Digestive issues: Diarrhea, upset stomach, loss of appetite.
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Dehydration: The water becomes unpalatable, reducing intake.
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Nutrient leaching: Excess alkalinity interferes with nutrient absorption.
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Disrupted egg laying: Electrolyte imbalance may impact production.
Monitor for decreased energy, drop in egg production, loose stool, loss of appetite or other signs of excess baking soda. Stop use immediately if any concerning symptoms arise.
7 Tips for Using Baking Soda Safely
Follow these best practices to use baking soda water responsibly:
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Start with a very low dose and increase slowly.
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Always provide plain water without baking soda too.
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Use intermittently, not daily.
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Monitor water intake and watch for changes in health.
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Test your water source first for existing pH/minerals.
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Adjust dosage based on observations of your flock.
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Discontinue at the first sign of any adverse reaction.
Should You Use Filtered or Tap Water?
Filtered water is best, as chemicals or contaminants in tap water could potentially react with the baking soda. If using tap water, let it sit out overnight before adding baking soda so chlorine can dissipate.
Can You Substitute Baking Powder?
No, never use baking powder. It contains acidic ingredients like cream of tartar and will not have the same effect as sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).
Are Electrolytes a Better Option Than Baking Soda?
For chickens suffering from heat stress, electrolytes are generally a safer choice than baking soda alone. Electrolyte supplements replace key minerals lost through panting. You can also make a homemade electrolyte drink with water, sugar, salt and baking soda.
The Bottom Line: Observational Care Is Key
While baking soda can provide some benefits, responsible flock monitoring is crucial. Adjust dosage based on observations, provide plain water too, use intermittently, and immediately stop if any concerns arise. With care and vigilance, baking soda can be a helpful supplement for supporting chicken health. But getting the dosage right is critical. As always, knowledge of your individual flock is the best guide.
Apple Cider Vinegar for Chickens in the Summer
I am, in general, a huge proponent of adding Apple Cider Vinegar to my chickens water several times a week.
The vinegar has health benefits and also increases calcium absorption, which is especially important during the summer months when the hens feed intake goes down and they arent ingesting as much calcium as they normally do.
But the apple cider vinegar also changes the chickens pH levels in their bodies.
To be safe, I think you should only put apple cider vinegar in your chickens’ water once a week or every other week during the summer. If you can, try to do it when it’s cooler.
A far better water additive during times of extreme heat is plain baking soda or, even better, electrolytes.
You can offer your chickens plain Pedialyte or Vitamins & Electrolytes to replace some of the minerals and nutrients lost.
This is a quick and easy way to make your own electrolytes: 1 cup of water, 2 teaspoons of sugar, 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of baking soda.
Whisk ingredients in a cup or glass until fully combined.
Use full strength on severely ailing chickens, otherwise mix into their drinking water as needed at a ratio of cup per gallon of water.
Chickens can avoid acidosis and alkalosis by replacing the electrolytes they lose in times of extreme heat. This could mean the difference between life and death.
Acidosis and Alkalosis in Chickens
Respiratory acidosis and alkalosis are two potentially dangerous, and even fatal, conditions that can be brought on by heat stress in chickens.
So its imperative to do what you can to keep your backyard flock cool in the summer.
When chickens get hot they start panting and this causes a reaction excessive panting leads to a pH imbalance.
This pH imbalance can cause illness and even death.
The best way to handle heat stress is to do everything you can to prevent it, watch for signs and symptoms.
And use all available resources if you notice that your chickens have signs of becoming overheated.
These include shade, plenty of cold water and as little stress as possible. Keep your chickens calm to the best extent possible.
Respiratory acidosis generally occurs when chickens are exposed to high temperatures for extended periods of time without relief.
However, there can be other root causes of acidosis and the inability to breathe correctly.
- Respiratory diseases that obstruct the airways
- Nerve or muscle disease
- Chest injury or deformity
When a chicken suffers from heat stress or other breathing problem, they will start breathing more shallowly and their lungs wont be able to keep up with expelling the carbon dioxide from their body.
They will begin to dehydrate and lose bicarbonates. Bicarbonates are one of the electrolytes and important for balancing acid/base (pH levels) in the body.
In addition, the dehydration will result in either too much acid or carbon dioxide in the blood (or both). This also upsets the pH balance.
This pH imbalance in the body can produce symptoms such as:
- Ruffled or disheveled appearance
- General weakness and overall poor health
If you notice any of these symptoms in your chickens, you need to move them to someplace cool immediately.
Then give them cold water and add baking soda (in a 2% ratio) to your chickens water to try to prevent acidosis from occurring.
Be sure to provide cool water, plenty of shade and refresthing, water-laden, cooling treats like lettuce, cucumber, melons, and other leafy greens.
Chronic respiratory acidosis occurs over a long period of time instead of very suddenly – as in response to an unexpected heatwave.
Although “chronic acidosis” sounds bad, its actually a more desirable condition that actually “cures” itself, because the bodys kidneys will naturally increase production of things such as bicarbonate to help restore the bodys pH balance.
Acute respiratory acidosis is a condition in which carbon dioxide builds up very quickly, before the kidneys can work to return the body to a balanced state. This eventually can lead to coma or death.
Interestingly enough, the state of respiratory acidosis can be partially balanced by respiratory alkalosis, which is the opposite of acidosis.
Alkalosis is a condition in which the acid levels in the body are too low.
This can happen when prolonged heavy breating occurs and carbon dioxide levels drop.
Since chickens dont sweat, they combat the heat in part by panting. Thats entirely normal.
But when faced with extreme heat stress, chickens will start to pant almost continuously and this can lead to alkalosis.
Their panting in an effort to keep cool increases their respiratory and heart rate. This also causes them to lose carbon dioxide at too fast a rate.
This loss of CO2 at a much faster rate than normal also upsets the Ph balance in their bodies and can ultimately lead to alkalosis.
Alkalosis is also a potentially fatal condition, so its important to keep your chickens cool and not overheated.
The main symptom of alkalosis in chickens is excessive panting.
How To Use Baking Soda For Poultry To Improve Broiler Weight and Egg Production.
FAQ
How much baking soda should you add to chicken water?
Baking soda should be added to your chicken’s water at about a 2% ratio. Some research suggests adding it at a 3% ratio if you’re adding it to your flock feed. This works out to be around ¼ cup per gallon of water. You can add ¾ tsp to 1 cup of water to break down a sick chicken even more.
Can I give my Chicken baking soda?
As with anything, there are risks involved when you give your flock supplements. Baking soda causes alkalosis, so too much can cause an imbalance in the chicken’s natural pH. Monitor how much salt you’re giving your flock if you’re supplementing them with baking soda in their water.
Does baking soda alter the pH of a Chicken’s Gut?
Any base, like baking soda, will change the gut’s pH, which could be good or bad. Adding ACV (or any acid) would do the same thing. Obviously, if the goal is to change the pH, you don’t want to mix your baking soda-rich electrolyte mix with your ACV-acidified water. That’s basic chemistry. Beyond that, I got nothing.
Is baking soda good for chicken emergencies?
Not only is baking soda good for chicken emergencies but it can also be used in their water prophylactically for potential issues that may arise. Baking soda has been used by chicken keepers for years to help them through hot seasons. Here in the Deep South, we have our share of hot days.
Does baking soda hurt chickens?
Baking soda will not hurt your chickens. In fact, it has a lot of benefits for your flock when used properly. As with anything in the chicken world, there are risks involved when supplementing anything so it should be used cautiously. Baking Soda can improve your bird’s ability to digest their feed, which will help with weight gain.
Should I give my Chicken baking soda when panting?
Heat stress can cause a loss of electrolytes in your flock. Baking soda will help to create a more alkaline state in the chicken’s body which is beneficial for calcium absorption. It may seem counterintuitive to give your flock baking soda when they’re panting.
How much baking soda do I add to my chicken water?
In times of high heat you can add baking soda to your flocks water to replace the bicarbonates lost during heavy panting. A ratio of around 2% or up to 1/4 cup per gallon can help balance their PH.
How much baking soda do I mix with water to drink?
Do you have to rinse baking soda from chicken?
Some people find the baking soda flavor unpleasant, especially those with sensitive taste buds. My recommendation: Rinse off the baking soda before marinating.Jan 14, 2025
How much baking soda and water to tenderize chicken?
The important part is that you are breaking through the membrane. Then, use a teaspoon of baking soda with a 1/2 cup of water for every 12 ounces of chicken. Seal it in a bag and let it sit in the fridge for 15-30 minutes. After that, take the meat out and rinse it. Then you can marinate it in whatever you want.