apple cider vinegar

[dlhunicorn]

There are simple paper strips to test the PH of your water...
There is no "dosage" for ACV as the PH of the water varies from household to household... so test your water then add the ACV until you get the desired PH (aim for 4/4.5) and that will be the correct dosage for YOUR water.
See here:
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/articles/246/effects-of-water-acidification-on-broiler-performance
"....While the manufacturers of these products provide mixing instructions, there is no guarantee of the final water pH mainly because of the broad diversity of water pH found in nature.....
....However, given the diversity of drinking water sources it is a very good idea to measure the pH of the drinking water when using acidifiers at manufacturer’s recommendations because the natural buffering capacity of water may result in reduced impact of the acidifier on pH...."

 

[vnploveschickens]

Here is another link for organic apple cider vinegar. Lots of info, even recipes.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=129175

My flock has no trouble drinking ACV water. I know they've got good healthy guts, and the waterer stays cleaner too.

 

[janetk]

i started putting acv (not the organic kind) 1 tablespoon per gallon to try to help the water from getting black and slimy. i'm using a plastic waterer. my water still is getting yucky. any suggestions?

 

[fordmommy]

I had a problem with one of my pullets and sour crop. After emptying her I put her on ACV water (1-2 Tbsp to 1 gallon of water) and yogart (once a day, about 1 Tbsp) and her normal crumble food. In about 4 days the sour crop was gone. I am a true believer in using the ACV now. I know it is expencive...but well worth it.

(The ACV that is not "organic" is actually plain white vinegar with carmel coloring. It won't do you any good. You need the yeasty chemical at the bottom called the mother)

 

[txchickie]

Quote:
Waste of time

Get the organic, unpasteurized, unfiltered kind with the mother in it. The "regular" acv does not have the benefits that the other does.

I start my day old chicks on acv in their water.

 

[janetk]

I'm guessing I get the organic acv at a health food store. I've never seen it in my grocery. Thanks for the help.

 

[swtamour]

If you have Whole Food in your area, they sell it. My Safeway sells it in the healthy food section. The brands I see are Braggs or Fleishmans.

 

[figsonwheels]

Can they get too much ACV in their water? My son put about 2/3 cup in a 5 gallon waterer yesterday afternoon. Today, there's a ton of mustard colored loose poop all over. They were out free ranging most of the day yesterday. When they came to the waterer they drank and drank and drank.

Today, I dumped half the water and added fresh. Anything else I should do?

 

[lindabean]

I started mine on it when I made 2 waterers using Avian Water Misers with Tree Top Apple juice bottles. The bottles are heavy plastic and have handles built in to wire them to side of pen. I put 1 to 2 Tablespoons of ACV with "Mother" per gallon. My 13 chickens of varrious ages drink almost 2 gallons a day. When it gets REALLY Hot (100 or over) I also put plain water in flower pot saucers, so they can have something to wade in. They also drink some, but still hit the 2 gallon water-ers and my little 1 Qt. Lick-it bottle that attaches on the Outside of the pen. I have read that they wouldn't do well with the Lick-It water-er, but the younger ones really like it. No problems pecking & drinking the tube with ball-bearing. It is much like the Water Miser nipples except the angle. I'm always looking for a more efficient way to care for the chicks so I can spend more time just sitting in the pen with them. They are so funny to watch.
Good luck
Linda McL

 

[jwchicklady]

my kroger's carries the organic kind in the health food section. Does ACV need to be refrigerated once opened?