apple cider

[chickenteen]

what does apple cider do to the chickens?

 

[Crunchie]

It's apple cider vinegar, not apple cider, and it has lots of supposed health benefits (you'll find more info out there on it's use in humans--google it and see

), including balancing the body's pH for optimal health. Lots of folks use it in their chicken's water (I use a splash in everyone's water--maybe it's doing them good, maybe it's not, but it's not hurting anything and it seems to help keep the slime in the plastic waterers down). Just don't use it in the galvanized metal waterers--it can interact with the metal.

 

[Akane]

If it's instant apple cider nothing.

Now apple cider vinegar and probably anything made with the real stuff has lots of useful vitamins and minerals along, is rumored to help prevent parasites, aid digestion, and it kills algae in the waterers. If you get apple cider vinegar that hasn't been filtered or treated to kill bacteria it will have active bacteria that is good for the digestive tract much like some yogurts.

 

[MissPrissy]

Raw, unfiltered, organic apple cider vinegar with the mother in the bottom is what you want to use as a probiotic. It is an antibiotic, antifungal, antiviral. Not only do you get all the benefits from the apples it is made from it is fortified with extra acids and enzymes from the fermentation. Good stuff.

 

[ChookHappy]

I've been using apple cider vinegar and the contents on the label says: Small batch brewed raw & unfiltered biodynamic apple cider vinegar. It is said to "Provide essential vitamins and minerals for beautiful plumage. Assists with overall attitude and curbs those otherwise glamorous hen curves. Great internal preventative!" This is what is on the bottle. She calls it "Healthy Hen Wellness Tonic" but yea, good stuff.

 

[basketmom]

I have used it in my babies water since they were a day old. I was told it helps them absorb the nutrients out of the food that they eat, and also helps preventative wise. They are now 5-6 months and very healthy if I do say so myself

 

[JestersEye]

I've just been buying the kind from the supermarket... Is there someplace else to get it in a more "natural" state. (I'm assuming now that the store brand is probably filtered.) I hadn't realized there were different types.

 

[Chris09]

I found this on Apple Cider Vinegar some time ago..

Apple Cider Vinegar-

Apple Cider vinegar is rich in the vitamins, minerals and trace elements found in apples, especially potassium. It will normalize pH levels in the stomach, improve digestion and the assimilation of nutrients.
A few more benefits of Oral Apple Cider Vinegar are:
*Reduces intestinal and fecal odors.
*Aids in digestion.
*Helps to break down minerals and fats.
*Assists the animal to assimilate proteins.
*Assists the animal to convert food better.
*It lowers the pH of the digestive tract which
will make an environment less welcoming
to pathogens therefore will reduce common
infections and increases resistance to disease.
*Improves stamina and fertility.
*It is a great overall tonic that will improve the general well being of the animal.
If started while Birds are young (1-1/2 to 2weeks), birds
*Will feather out quicker.
*Are hardier.
*Grow to their potential sooner when used with an adequate feed.
I find the meat is also leaner due to the fats being converted quicker.
Cautions:
Do not use metal water dishes (except stainless steal).
Vinegar should not be used internally with animals that have an irritated lining of the intestinal tract.
Add 1/8-1/4 of a teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar to every 4 fl ozs of water, or 1/8-1/4 cup per gallon of water.

Also I would not use at the same time with a commercial wormer. On some commercial wormer it will have one funky chemical reaction with each other...

Chris

 

[sommrluv]

I'm only just learning about "mothers". Is it touchy to keep alive, these all natural ciders? What does it look like?

 

[MissPrissy]

Braggs is probably the most polular. It comes in a glass bottle.

You don't have to do anything to keep it alive. It simply is.