I though i would make a thread that listed some of the benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV). I know a lot of you people here know what it is, but for some of the newbies, it may be a mystery as to why you occasionally see the word ACV pop up in threads and might wonder why we give it to our chickens. Well, ACV has about an infinite amount of benefits that can be used for chickens, ducks, horses, rabbits, dogs, cats etc. and as well as even people, and it's been used for hundreds of years.
Use the raw, unfiltered, unpasturized kind, the other processed stuff will do your pets no good, a good brand thats out there is "Bragg's". Add 1 to 2 tablespoon of it per gallon in their drinking water, or 1 teaspoon per quart, if you are using quart waterers for chicks. Put in glass or plastic water containers only, do not put in metal or galvanized waterers, as it will rust and corrode the container, and if its galvinized it will eat though the galvy and poison your chickens.
Through personal experience, I can say that it work great at promoting health and keeping away diseases. I once had a hen that got sick for some reason, no idea how, but she was kind of sluggish, and if I picked her up and dropped her, she would just fall and plop to the floor without flapping her wings or being worried, and could hardly walk. I kept her penned up from the rest of the flock, and put ACV in her water, within 2-3 days, she was back to normal, but I kept her in for a week just to be safe. ACV dosen't work for all diseases, but it sure does work for a lot of them. Some even say it boosts egg production, although I couldn't find any studies on this, it is still only just logical that they would lay more, as a healthy and alert hen will obviously be more productive than one that is stressed and/or sick.
Just some of the benefits are
These are just some......I know there are a lot of you out there who know additional benefits, post them on this thread as well as any experiences you've had with ACV!
Use the raw, unfiltered, unpasturized kind, the other processed stuff will do your pets no good, a good brand thats out there is "Bragg's". Add 1 to 2 tablespoon of it per gallon in their drinking water, or 1 teaspoon per quart, if you are using quart waterers for chicks. Put in glass or plastic water containers only, do not put in metal or galvanized waterers, as it will rust and corrode the container, and if its galvinized it will eat though the galvy and poison your chickens.
Through personal experience, I can say that it work great at promoting health and keeping away diseases. I once had a hen that got sick for some reason, no idea how, but she was kind of sluggish, and if I picked her up and dropped her, she would just fall and plop to the floor without flapping her wings or being worried, and could hardly walk. I kept her penned up from the rest of the flock, and put ACV in her water, within 2-3 days, she was back to normal, but I kept her in for a week just to be safe. ACV dosen't work for all diseases, but it sure does work for a lot of them. Some even say it boosts egg production, although I couldn't find any studies on this, it is still only just logical that they would lay more, as a healthy and alert hen will obviously be more productive than one that is stressed and/or sick.
Just some of the benefits are
- It will support their immune systems, whenever chickens are stressed their immune systems are vulnerable to disease and infection, and ACV helps protect them
- It is a natural probiotic
- Just to clear up confusion it's not technically a dewormer, but it prevents the infestation of worms in the gut if used beforehand
- ACV is certainly full of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. It helps to lower the pH level in the stomach, helping digestion and making it a less friendly for harmful pathogens.
- It brings out the color in their feathers, and gives it a shinier look
- ACV detoxifies the blood and helps remove mucous from within the body, this is particularly useful since chickens are particularly prone to respiratory problems and ACV can be of benefit in helping birds to clear their airways.
- If your animal is sick or ill seeming and slow, it will help perk them up and keep them alert
- Due to the acid content of ACV, it is an antiseptic. As well as killing germs, it is also a mild and natural antibiotic as well, (that is, it contains bacteria that destroy infectious organisms).
- Improves fertility
- ACV prevents any alegea from growing in their water
- If made in a diluted solution of one part ACV one part water, you can part the feathers of your birds, or the fur of other animals, and spray on the skin, it will repel fleas and ticks.
- If made into the diluted solution, it can act as a disinfectant and can be sprayed on cages, coops, pens.
- Heres a link on some of the uses for people, works for hair, bathroom cleaners etc.
These are just some......I know there are a lot of you out there who know additional benefits, post them on this thread as well as any experiences you've had with ACV!
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