[warrenlovinmama]

???Hi, can anyone tell me what apple cider vinegar is used for? I keep seeing it mentioned and wondered do people put in chooks water all the time or does it have a specific purpose?

[Casey76]

Apple cider vinegar (the unpasturised version with "mother" ) is an anecdotal cure all

Dilute 5ml per 1L for 1 week in 4, and ensure that you have another waterer od plain water so the chickens can decide which they want to drink.

[Kenilworth]

Also make sure you dont have a metalic water holder

What is the advise regarding frequency as we were told a minimum of once a week?

[Dominic]

Mine have a mini feeder with ACV in it, they seem to drink it every now and again.

Think of it along the lines of "5 a day" rather than "My chicken is seriously unwell, does it need ACV or poultry spice"

[hillfooter]

???Hi, can anyone tell me what apple cider vinegar is used for? I keep seeing it mentioned and wondered do people put in chooks water all the time or does it have a specific purpose?

No body really knows, there's as many answers to this question as there are people who give it to their birds.

The best and most convincing use for it is that it is a blood acidifier and can counter excess calcium build up which can cause kidney stones.  So it's the antidote to feeding excessive oystershell or limestone flour.  I'm not sure that in fact it does help but it seems pausible.

Apple cider vinegar became popular in the 50's as a natural tonic /health drink for people but has now been relegated to mostly animal use.

Personally I don't use any supplements without I know why I'm using it and what results I expect to see.  If I don't see the benefit I stop using it.

HF

[Lindeggs]

The two plausible uses I have seen are (as Hillfooter said) to reduce/counteract the effects of too much calcium in their diet at a young age (of course it's much better to feed them the right feed for their age to avoid this problem!)  

Also If they have another illness that causes a thick build-up of mucous, ACV can be used to help cut through the mucous and expel it.  Here's the reference from the Mississippi State University poultry people: http://msucares.com/poultry/diseases/solutions.html

I don't see any harm in adding it to the chickens' water if that's what you want to do.  I do, and in fact I take a dose of it every so often as well.    But it is not a replacement for proper medical care.

People say that it can help birds to resist a heavy worm infestation by changing the pH of the gut, but I haven't seen any plausible evidence of that.  I was using it with my pullets and they got worms anyway, so I'm certainly not going to rely on it.

[joyfull]

thanks for finding that link Lindeggs - like you I use it for my hens and myself  .

[hillfooter]

thanks for finding that link Lindeggs - like you I use it for my hens and myself  .

Well let that be a warning to the rest of you

HF

[kegs]

thanks for finding that link Lindeggs - like you I use it for my hens and myself  .

Well let that be a warning to the rest of you

HF

 

Joyfull is so going to get you back !!!

[Dominic]

Personally I don't use any supplements without I know why I'm using it and what results I expect to see.  If I don't see the benefit I stop using it.

That my chickens like a nip of it every now and again is good enough for me.

[joyfull]

thanks for finding that link Lindeggs - like you I use it for my hens and myself  .

Well let that be a warning to the rest of you

HF

 

Joyfull is so going to get you back !!!

Oh yes - I will just bide my time till you are least expecting it. So be afraid HF, be very afraid 

[kegs]

thanks for finding that link Lindeggs - like you I use it for my hens and myself  .

Well let that be a warning to the rest of you

HF

 

Joyfull is so going to get you back !!!

Oh yes - I will just bide my time till you are least expecting it. So be afraid HF, be very afraid 

Run and hide HF......... there's still time !!   

[Lindeggs]

Well I credit the ACV with giving me glossy feathers and a nice red comb and wattle so I can't see that it's done me any harm! 

[hillfooter]

thanks for finding that link Lindeggs - like you I use it for my hens and myself  .

Well let that be a warning to the rest of you

HF

 

Joyfull is so going to get you back !!!

Oh yes - I will just bide my time till you are least expecting it. So be afraid HF, be very afraid 

Oh NO!  I've only just got better from being turned into a toad from the last time

HF ...........reddit!............reddit!

[joyfull]

Well I credit the ACV with giving me glossy feathers and a nice red comb and wattle so I can't see that it's done me any harm! 

surely you mean that jiggley red bit on top off your head