Apple Cider Vinegar...

I don't think you actually need to use the Apple Cider Vinegar.

I just give the chicks their chick crumbs and fresh water. I have raised many many chicks as I am a breeder of Japanese Bantams, and always have chicks at various ages. I have never had any problems with just water and chick feed.

One of my adult roosters got a 'cold' type virus and I gave the ACV a go for him. It did not seem to help his symptoms. I also have a fantail dove with breathing problems, and again I did not notice any improvement using ACV - even after nearly 2 weeks. When I stopped using it she eventually got better on her own.

However, the ACV smelled delicious and I could not resist it! Now I use it for myself in the water when I poach my eggs for breakfast....

I am not sure that there is any real benefit to using ACV, but thats just my personal opinion.

 

The reason I use a splash of vinegar, Apple Cider, is to slightly lower the ph of the drinking water. That to me is the primary purpose. I'm not a true believer-fanatic about doing it, but I do believe it cannot hurt.

 

Sorry to get too personal, but I gotta tell my story. Years ago I had some issues with cysts and endometriosis with myself (not my chickens). The issue kept giving me bladder infections, kidney stones, and fevers of 104. I kept going to the doctor who would give me antibiotics, which never worked. An old guy told me to use Apple Cider Vinegar. I'm not one who usually believes in natural remedies, but I was so bad off I'd try anything. It tasted nasty, but I was amazed at how it worked. And trust me, this was a problem so bad that the cure of ACV could not have been in my head. The doctors took their time approving surgery, so I had to suffer in the meantime, until ACV helped. So I figure if it was a miracle for me, I believe it can help chickens. There actually is a scientific reason it works. It has to do with pH. I could get all technical, but simply put it adjusts the pH to encourage beneficial microflora to grow and discourages the bad stuff. I swear by it. Any type will work, but I agree it's best to find the natural one that has "mother" on the label. I found it at Wal-Mart.

 

Bragg's is the most common brand with the mother in it. Should be able to find it in the natural foods section of most major supermarkets.

 

X2 - no more pasty butt

The brand doesn't matter but you need to get unpasteurized, with the "mother". Heinz now makes one with the "mother" and Braggs is the other popular organic brand.

 

X3 Sometimes it is called "raw" apple cider vinegar.