Apple Cider Vinegar

[HollyWoozle]

Interesting to read the replies to this thread! I have seen so many websites and blogs recommending ACV in the water that I do add it but now I am wondering if it does anything at all!

 

[Aerliss]

Interesting to read the replies to this thread! I have seen so many websites and blogs recommending ACV in the water that I do add it but now I am wondering if it does anything at all!

One study I found showed it reduced salmonella. While not as significantly as some other compounds, it did work; https://academic.oup.com/japr/article/20/3/313/689252

Another showed it reduced salmonella, while increasing a "good bacteria" count; https://academic.oup.com/japr/article/18/4/658/752220

And I THINK this one showed that a vinegar production by-product helped hens digest food better; https://www.livestockscience.com/article/S1871-1413(12)00315-0/fulltext

So it DOES do something. The theory behind the "helps combat after effects of stressors" probably stems from the fact it does appear to act as a "bad bacteria" killer, while helping "good bacteria" to thrive, and thus helping reduce the load on a stressed immune system.

ACV is pretty cheap, even the unpasteurised stuff. Using it now and again is not going to break the bank, is unlikely to harm your chickens, and will have at least some small benefit... even if it's just making them drink more (mine seemed to like the taste when I used it).

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thank you for your reply. I'll take a look at the links.

 

[Folly's place]

Humans and chickens have very different gastro-intestinal anatomy, and systems. And find a scientific report on chickens that's relevant, rather than "I felt good on it" testimonials from people.
I'm not being sarcastic, just interested in actual science based research.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Those very short term studies of broiler chicks weren't relevant, IMO. Really not relevant to long term life of free ranging 'normal' chickens at all.
Mary

 

[chickengeorgeto]

indeed claims are inflated, esp by vinegar makers... As for scientific studies, here's a popular one. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/art...j20/is-apple-cider-vinegar-really-good-for-me

Scientific Studies? Sorry but the Scientific study posted is no more scientific
(or objective) than that famous 'scientific' study that claimed that famous ocean liner, the Titanic was unsinkable. In fact this scientific study is little more than a personal testimonial like the Titanic's claim to Invulnerable.

Furthermore, in none of these studies were the beginning blood sugar or fat levels comparable to each other. Also any scientific study conducted once with only 7 test subjects is fatally flawed from the get go. I am constantly telling people that you paid good money for your chickens and that you should do with them as you see best. The same applies to your body and to a large extent what you are allowed to put into your body, including apple cider. However this tolerance ends when false claims are made and honest but trusting people put their faith, not to mention their health and hard earned money into these made up claims.

As for lumping Political ideologies in with false or misleading claims made about apple cider vinegar or any thing else for that matter, this is a lame attempt to drag a red herring across the path to either hide the truth or else rally like minded individuals into the fray. When someone touts something that is not proven fact and that non-information takes on a life of its own despite facts or non-proof, or has the potential to cause harm, then in my book that is criminal.

 

[True Patriot]

Not related to acv but In general. Someone wrote the check to fund the study. The people running the study want more checks. It benefits the study to find what the check writer wants. If you give me a pool of statistics to pull from I can make the data say whatever you want

 

[Blooie]

I don’t use it, personally. Oh, I did when I first started, but then I ran out. I kept spacing getting more, since a shopping trip here is a 50 mile drive one way. And I noticed absolutely no difference in my flock, egg production, or anything else.

That said, if you are going to put ACV in their water, please make sure they also have access to some plain, clean, untreated water as well. Plain water is just as important to their well-being as anything else.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

Not related to acv but In general. Someone wrote the check to fund the study. The people running the study want more checks. It benefits the study to find what the check writer wants. If you give me a pool of statistics to pull from I can make the data say whatever you want

A great American and humorist named Mark Twain once said, "There are three kind of lies, little white lies, d***** lies, and statistics."

 

[chickengeorgeto]

indeed claims are inflated, esp by vinegar makers....

No argument from me. As I said on this very forum and recently too. If you invent a new fishing bait, for that fishing bait to catch fish, it first must catch a fisherman.