Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) for chickens has had some very good press over the last ten years. There has been lots of research done where ACV has been added to one group of chicken’s water and the compared against the other ‘control’ group.
Cider Vinegar for chickens is acidic and it is this acidity that means ACV is a mild anticeptic and will kill a number of germs. In addition to this, it is claimed to act like a mild antibiotic. Antibiotics kill infectious bacteria that can cause disease in chickens.
In addition to these benefits, Apple Cider Vinegar is full of vitamins, minerals and trace elements that are beneficial to your chickens but you do have to be careful where you buy ACV from – don’t go rushing off to Tesco just yet!
Click Image to Buy on Wells Poultry
Apple Cider Vinegar has been proven to help chickens with stress which is one of the main contributors to their immune system lowering and letting in disease. I use ACV during the following times:
- Moving house
- Introducing new birds
- If snow falls on the ground (a stressful change in environment for chickens)
- After a fright – eg fox attack
- After injury
- Once per month for a week for the health benefits
You can buy ACV from Wells Poultry HERE: http://tinyurl.com/37ntebg
Dillution Rate of Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV should be dilluted at a rate of 2% in fresh drinking water. This is the same as saying 20ml in every litre. Make sure you are using plastic water containers because it is acidic and will corrode galvanised containers. The normal rate at which to give to chickens in order to be beneficial is for one week per month. If you choose the first week of every month, it will be easier to remember. Chicks and growers can be given 0.5% ACV in water or 5ml per litre.
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Do you have any information on Apple Cider Vinegar? Please leave me a comment below.
I am looking after someone’s chicks. She has asked me to give them vinegar diluted in water every 4 or 5 days. 70ml in 1 liter. To put it in their reservoir and then top it up with fresh water as needed. Is this correct? Will they drink so much water in 4 or 5 days? I’m afraid to give them too much of the vinegar solution.
They must have fresh water at all times so you should really change it daily or at least every other day. Assuming the vinegar you speak of is ACV then the dose is a little high although its natural and won’t hurt them. I would do what the owner wants unless they won’t drink the water or something in which case I would reduce the dose to 20ml per litre.