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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When putting ACV in the water for one week/month, does it need to be changed every day during that week? Or every other day? Can ACV stay fresh the whole week without being changed? Thanks!
It stays fresh. I change my chickens water every couple of days but if I give ACV, I tend to leave it a bit longer so it doesn’t go to waste. You can always tip a bit out each day to freshen it up.
Hi, i have found this very helpfull reading, im buying my first Chickens soon, but is there a particular time i should be waiting for or can i buy anytime???
It’s easier in the Spring and Summer as the grass is growing and it is easier to spend time with them to learn.
I got some hens and they were possessed about picking out each other’s feathers. They
even killed 2 hens by picking so much. Did a little research and read about ACV. Started giving it to them and they calmed down completely, stopped pecking at each other and get along with some new chickens. It has been like a “miracle drug”.
Highly recommend ACV.
hi, i live in spain..is ACV here the same as in other countries. As i dont speak very much spanish i’m having trouble reading the ingredients!!!
Ummm not sure. Quite possibly. You want it to be un-refined / un-pasturised remember.
Hi i’m new to this site., i was told by someone that a galic clove in their drinking water is good for chickens..is that true.
Absolutely. It was used in strong doses in days gone buy to help rid a bird of worms and has some fantastic health benefits. Crush a clove per litre of water and it will help them.
Thank you, very helpful information. You mention unrefined / unpasteurised ACV. Is there a problem with filtered ACV from the supermarket or is it mainly a cost consideration?
Yes, it is normally pasturised which kills off the beneficial bacteria. Equine shops sell ACV or there are links on this page that take you to Wells poultry who I’ve found are one of the cheaper suppliers with reasonable postage costs.
Sprouts sells Braggs ACV unpasterurized, organic, with the mother for a very good price. Braggs is the best in my opinion.
Hi it’s my first time on your page, i keep five hens on my allotment and just started to use ACV, you have a question from Marylyn asking about garlic in there water,at what intervel would you give this and can it be used with ACV.
I use garlic from time to time when I remember – but you could give it all the time… it is natural and very good for them. Just don’t overdo the amount or you may get slightly garlic tasting eggs!
Hi just found this site and I have found it very useful so many thanks, I would just like to ask about the garlic, I have just sold my pony and I have a lot garlic granules left, could i give this to my chickens ??
Absolutely. I would highly recommend it added to their water from time to time. Fresh crushed garlic cloves is the best but dried can also be used.