@U_Stormcrow I have heard that the body reacts to the acidic vinegar by becoming more alkaline, which is what is beneficial.
Is there any truth in that?
"Its complicated". I might lie and say that I hate that answer, but I really don't. "Its Complicated" is an expression of a universal truth - there are no magic bullets, merely trade offs. Most of the studies look at really short timeframes, and capture the period where the existing biome is being harmed by the suddenly altered environment, and try to cut themselves off before the bacteria that like the new environment get a chance to fully colonize.
The few studies I've seen of longer duration end up at substantially similar baterial loads - just a different mix.
There are certain pH that are associated with improved digestion of some nutrients - and inhibited digestion of others. Whether a particular pH is of net benefit to your birds or not is, in part, a factor of what you feed them.
I will say that to the best of my knowledge, no commercial facilities (who can afford to test water cheaply and buy vinegar or other acids even more cheaply in bulk), and who can amortize costs over huge flock numbers, are engaged in the process of routinely adjusting their water pH with a live ferment. That suggests to me that, for whatever reason, they don't find it cost effective.
Now, if your local well/pipe water source is sufficiently basic or acidic that its a problem for you to drink, some adjustment for your birds might be appropriate - particularly if your water is very basic.
