Glucose & Multivitamin During Brooding: Essential Dosages for Healthy Chicks

By James Ramsey
December 1, 2025

*Glucose can reduce mortality during brooding*

Brooding (day 0–14) is the most fragile stage of a chick’s life. Proper early nutrition ensures vigorous activity, reduced early mortality, better feed conversion and long-term flock uniformity. This practical guide explains why glucose and multivitamins are used in brooding and gives exact dosages and mixing instructions for three common flock sizes: 50, 100 and 200 chicks.

Why use glucose and multivitamins?

Glucose: immediate energy source to restore reserves after transport, help thermoregulation and reduce early weakness.
Multivitamins: supply essential vitamins (A, D, E, K, B-complex, C) that support immunity, bone growth, organ development and stress recovery.

How to administer: clear rules

Give glucose in water only for the first 24–48 hours after arrival.
Give multivitamins in water for days 1–5 of life, then twice weekly thereafter if needed.
Do not mix glucose and multivitamin solutions together unless the product label explicitly permits it.
Use warm water (28–30°C / 82–86°F) during the first 72 hours to encourage drinking.
Always follow manufacturer instructions for concentrated liquids—this guide uses common field concentrations (below).

Standard concentrations used in this guide

Glucose powder concentration: 50 g glucose per 1 litre of water.
Multivitamin concentration: 1 g (or 1 ml for most liquid poultry multivitamins) per 1 litre of water.

Exact quantities by flock size (practical field guide)

The table below assumes the following average water consumption on day 1–2: 50 chicks → 3–4 L/day, 100 chicks → 6–8 L/day, 200 chicks → 12–16 L/day. Adjust if your brooder is hotter/cooler; hotter = more water.

Flock Size	Estimated Water/day (Day 1–2)	Glucose (Day 1–2)	Multivitamin (Day 1–5)
50 chicks	3–4 litres	200 g total (50 g/L × 4 L)	3–4 g (or 3–4 ml) per day
100 chicks	6–8 litres	400 g total (50 g/L × 8 L)	6–8 g (or 6–8 ml) per day
200 chicks	12–16 litres	800 g total (50 g/L × 16 L)	12–16 g (or 12–16 ml) per day

Example procedure (50 chicks): Mix 200 g glucose into 4 L warm water and offer for the first 24–48 hours. From day 1–5, provide multivitamin at 3–4 g per 4 L water (i.e., 1 g/L). Change water every 6–8 hours to keep it fresh.

Mixing & administration tips

Use a clean container; dissolve glucose fully before offering.
Offer in shallow drinkers so chicks can reach the water easily.
Replace solutions every 6–8 hours — bacteria and fermentation risk rise in warm glucose solutions.
Record exact amounts and times for quality control and repeatability.

Safety considerations

Do not overdose. Higher glucose concentration can reduce water intake and cause diarrhoea.
If chicks show unusual signs (severe diarrhoea, collapse), stop the supplement and consult a veterinarian.
Check the product label for any contraindications. Some vitamin mixes are designed to be used as injectable or feed additives instead of water.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Can I mix glucose and multivitamins together?

Generally no. Mixing can change osmolarity and stability. Only mix when the product label states it is safe.

How often should I repeat multivitamins after the first week?

Common practice: give multivitamins for days 1–5, then 2 days per week (for example, days 10 and 14) if flock stressors persist (vaccination, heat). Use your vet’s guidance for disease outbreaks.

Which brands are suitable?

Most poultry-focused multivitamins and veterinary glucose powders are suitable. Choose reputable suppliers and check concentration labels. For additional reading on chick starter nutrition see the FAO poultry guides.