Apple cider vinegar

[Aerliss]

Multiple sites claim that acv has been "proven" to help chickens during stressful periods, but none link to any studies proving it. I think, however, that it comes from the study linked above and a couple of others that show that acv does help reduce e coli, salmonella and a couple of other bacteria I can't pronounce in the crop and gizzard. A stressed bird is an immunocompromised bird. So reducing pathogen load should help stave off sickness.

I added it at a 2% concentration to one of my two waterer when my girls arrived for five days. That way they had a choice, but I must say they did seem to like the acv water. It's kind of sweet, I suppose.

Can't say if it worked or did nothing, but I don't think it's done them any harm. I wouldn't use it regularly though.

 

[Cryss]

Never really saw the point of giving my birds something that will lower there bodys calcium and potassium.
Vinegar of any type is a acid and over time that acid can cause a number of health problem including low blood pH, potassium deficiency, calcium deficiency, lower bone density etc.

Just found this thread.
The part where you say it causes calcium deficiency is the opposite of what this site says at the end. Now I'm confused. Anyone?

 

[Folly's place]

If you look at that study mentioned on the last page about vinegar damaging some bacteria, it was done with cultures in culture media; nothing to do with actual animal studies of any sort!!!
The one chicken study I mentioned on this thread wasn't pertinent to long term flock health either.
It's hard to buck 'Dr. Google' and testimonials though. Unless you care about actual science...
Mary

 

[Willowspirit]

I have used Apple Cider Vinegar numerous times in my chickens water, and I have seen great effects on my flock!

Curious to know the great effects you see.