[looe-looe-belle]

i have heard that putting apple cider vinegar in the hens drinking water is beneficial to their gut and helps stop infections and bacteria - has anyone else heard of this ? Or does anyone else in fact do this ? Be interesting to hear your comments !

[trinamc]

Hi

I put cider vinegar in the drinking water of my chucks, I was told to do this by an old farmer who lives nearby so I guessed he knew what he was on about. The chucks are healthy and very happy - don't know if it is anything to do with the vinegar but it isn't do them any harm.
I am sure that somebody with more experience will know more about it.

[orchardlady]

Just put a dash of ACV in the hens water. Make sure it is the non pasteurised sort you can get it from horse feed merchants not the ACV you get in supermarkets. I use it and my hens look lovely.

[looe-looe-belle]

so can i not just get the apple cider vinegar from holland and barrat ? And why should it be unpasteurised?

[alancane]

The ACV that you buy for cooking in supermarkets, health food shops etc have some of the nutrients, minerals and elements removed which are beneficial for your hens.

[compostqueen]

You get apple cider vinger (ACV) from the pet shop or equine place. It's unpasteurised (sometimes called rough or unfettered)  You don't want the stuff from Holland Barrett or Tesco    It's said to aid digestion and keep down internal parasites. Your hens will still need regular worming though. The hens enjoy their water with the vinegar in it though - just a splash or say a tablespoon full to a full drinker of water

[Sassy]

Do only use it in plastic waterers tho' definitely not in galvanised ones.

[Spana]

Yeh, agree with all above.    all the hens and cockerels love it :happy: 

Search out the proper stuff and give it ago :happy:

[EJCTM]

I have read that it also stops algae from growing in the waterers. You have to get the one with the "mother" in it, which is a yeasty cloudy sediment on the bottom. I have not been able to find any, but want to get some as a lot of people swear by the health benefits for chickens.

Does anyone know where I could get hold of some in Herts or Essex??

[joyfull]

if you have any equestrian suppliers near you they will stock it 

[Spana]

I have read that it also stops algae from growing in the waterers. Does anyone know where I could get hold of some in Herts or Essex??

It does stop algae in plastic drinkers.

 I use it for one week in four and find thats enough.

[Biguba]

I'd rather buy the cider and drink it myself