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!
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 Amazon
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.
Do you have any information on Apple Cider Vinegar? Please leave me a comment below.
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.