[hillfooter]

Ok so every book you pick up says give it to them as a tonic but does anyone know what its supposed actually do and if i give it to my chickens what changes can i expect to see after I've given them it?

I read somewhere in these posts that the apple cider you give isn't the stuff you buy from sainsburys or tesco but some other brew.  So is this true, and what's the difference?

If I give them it, won't it just make them thirsty so they'll drink more of it and then i won't know whether they drink it cos they like it, or cos it just makes em thirsty!

Thanks

[kitkat]

Hi , from what i can gather, it does something to the PH in the gut? Also apart from being a good allrounder i think it helps keeps worms at bay. I know some people give it from day old and swear by it. I bought the supermarket brand not realising it isn't any good,and I cant seem to get the proper stuff over here which is cloudy and unpurified. I wish i could get it though. Hope i've got all that right

[dizzylizzie]

hi kitkat, have you tried places that sell stuff for horses? the stuff i bought was in the horse section of the local farm shop, it the cloudy sort....hope that helps hun x

[Aunt Sally]

A chickens gut is very acidic (in places) anyway.  They can dissolve oyster shell after all, so ACV does nothing significant to the pH !

The reason you need to use unrefined ACV is that it contains tannins, like you get in tea and red wine.  The tannins help to remove mucous from the gut lining.  If there is less mucous sticking to the lining there are less places for things to stick, bacteria worm eggs etc.  A cleaner gut means less problems.

[SMD66]

and it stops algae growth in the water 
you can also get it on-line from poultry web sites

[Aunt Sally]

You shouldn't be getting algae growth in your water if it's changed every day and the container cleaned 

[Flowerpower136]

Red wine........... I'll never have worms in that case.

[SMD66]

You shouldn't be getting algae growth in your water if it's changed every day and the container cleaned 

I bought big water containers for when we go away so the neighbours have less to do, (17 hens, 13 chickens)
trouble is they have a small opening at the top and are deep, I am still searching for a brush that will get down into them!  I have to blast them with the pressure hose at the mo which I do regularly.  If, (and when) it's really sunny the algae gets hold quickly and is difficult to clean off so I would rather prevent it.   

[hillfooter]

Thanks for your replies.  Armed with my new knowlwdge I'll do a bit more research on the web and let you know what I find.  Could be true that an apple a day keeps the vet away.

I do know that ACV contains magnesium in a highly absorbable form.  This could be significant as i do use ACV and the chx eat apples regularly and I've had problems with pips on eggs ocassionally which is cited as being a symptom of excessive dietary magnesium.  I also know that tannins in combination with polyphenols also have a binding effect on protein which reduces protein absorbtion. It also seems to be cited as influencing the intestinal microflora but I don't know for the better or worse.  The acid in ACV has also been cited as suppressing the natural production of digestive acids and that it could be this effect that contributes to the reduction in protein absorbtion.  Seems if the body is healthy and you give extra suppliments such as digestive enzyms it just compensates by reducing it's natural production of these substances.  That makes sense.

I'll check out and let you know what else I find.

Regards

[Flowerpower136]

Goodness Hillfooter!  I'm glad it makes sense to you, becaue you lost me half way down the page!
When you've worked it out, let me know.  I've bought and paid for ACV, so waiting your verdict with interest ,

[flangey]

you and me both Flower! I got mine on line too.  I'm not likely to get worms either with the amount of tea I drink,  oh yes and red wine too yum yum.................

[azubah]

The reason you need to use unrefined ACV is that it contains tannins, like you get in tea and red wine.  

I wonder if they would like a nice cup of tea?

[Vember]

Crumb (Goose) Loves a cup of tea
She stands waiting for it when O/H is drinking it, he has to offer her some or she gets upset 

Sarah 

[too many girls]

Carrie one of our kittens loves tea, she can drink it quite hot many a time i've gone to take a swig and found the inside of the rim stuck with cat hairs

[Vember]

Ahhhhh So that's how they get there  I thought o/h hadn't washed the cups up proper