For a while now cider vinegar has been
in the news because of all its great properties. The good news is there has
been a lot of research into the benefits of feeding it to animals including
chickens because it helps keep a bird's immune system that much stronger so
they can fend off any nasty diseases and infections that often plague flocks.
1.
Mild antiseptic and antibiotic properties
There are many benefits of adding apple
cider vinegar to chicken's drinking water because not only will it help kill
off a lot of germs due to its mild antiseptic properties but it is thought that
cider vinegar also boasts mild antibiotic properties too. In short, because
chickens are prone to bacterial infections adding apple cider vinegar to their
water helps prevent this from happening.
It's the acidic nature of apple cider
vinegar that's so good for chickens and which is such an effective means to
kill off all those germs and bacteria that can sometimes take hold when a bird is
weak or unwell.
2.
Full of vitamins and minerals
Apart from having antiseptic and
antibiotic properties, apple cider vinegar is also full of valuable minerals,
vitamins and trace elements. However, you need to buy a product that's been
organically produced like this you know there no preservatives, additives and
colourings added to the ingredients which could prove harmful to your chickens.
3.
Very effective at relieving stress
Another real benefit of feeding apple
cider vinegar to a flock of chickens is that it helps relieve any stress in
birds. Stress is a major factor that can seriously affect a bird's immune
system and once this is compromised, chickens tend to get very sick and are
more at risk of picking up or developing a nasty disease.
4.
Great at treating diarrhoea
If any of your birds shows signs of
suffering from diarrhoea and you have ruled out the fact they might need
worming or have picked up coccidiosis, adding apple
cider vinegar to their drinking water will help them get over it with the added
bonus that it also kills off any nasty bacteria that often builds up in their
drinkers.
When
to use apple cider vinegar
Adding apple cider vinegar to your chicken's
drinking water is really beneficial when the following situations occur:
- If you are moving house and taking your chickens to a new and unfamiliar home which can stress them out.
- Before and when you introduce any new birds into an existing flock.
- If the weather changes which can be a stressful time for chickens. This could be a sudden snow fall or any other sort of extreme weather conditions.
- If your birds have been frightened by something which includes being attacked by a fox, bird of prey, cat or dog.
- If any bird has a compromised immune system due to illness.
- When a bird has suffered some sort of injury.
- If any birds have dirty bottoms due to suffering from diarrhoea.
- It's also a good idea to add apple cider vinegar to your flock's drinking water at least once a month so your birds benefit from all its properties and as a real “pick me up” for them.
How
to dilute apple cider vinegar
You need to dilute your apple cider
vinegar with fresh, clean water and the ratio should be 2% which translates to 20ml
to every 1 litre of water. The other thing to bear in mind is that because it’s
so acidic, you have to avoid putting it in any galvanised drinkers because it
will end up corroding the metal. It is far better to use plastic drinkers when
you mix any cider vinegar with your bird's drinking water.
You should keep adding it to your
flock's water for 7 days once a month. If you set up a routine of adding it at
the beginning of every month, there's less chance of forgetting to do it. If
you have any young chicks in your flock, apple cider vinegar can be safely
added to their water at a ratio of 5% which equates to 5ml for every 1 litre of
fresh, clean water.
Conclusion
Keeping chickens has never as popular
as it is today with many more people keeping a few in their back gardens.
Taking care of your birds throughout the year, means stocking up on a few
essentials which includes treatments and tonics for your birds. Apple cider
vinegar is one “must have” product that all poultry keepers should keep in
stock because adding it to your chicken's drinking water is so beneficial for
their overall health. It is also full of natural goodness which helps keep your
bird's immune systems nice and strong, which in turn helps them fight off any
nasty diseases and bacterial infections.
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