The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Cobra on August 10, 2010, 04:30:31 pm

Title: Cider viniger
Post by: Cobra on August 10, 2010, 04:30:31 pm
Hi,

My neighbour has had chickens for a number of years and swears by putting cider vinegar in the water, he says it helps health and acts as a wormmer: I wouldn't doubt his word, I'm just curios to your thoughts? Anyone else do this and what other things do you feed or water other than pellet etc,
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: ellisr on August 10, 2010, 04:32:58 pm
I have used cider vinegar for my chooks (don't use a metal container with it) and yes it helps. I also use a mxture of garlic powder and poultry spice on there food to help with there health and keep beasties at bay.
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: Cobra on August 10, 2010, 04:36:06 pm
Ah cheers Rachel, he also mention garlic powder  ;)

Haven't forgotten you, put up a new run for the chickens and as a consequence spent 4 days bent over like an old fart :-[ now upgraded to Quazy moddo and one foot dragging  ::) Happy days  ;D

Trouble is I can sit and do nothing and feel sorry for my self or achieve something how ever small and feel good but cripple me self up at the same time; gotta keep moving  ;)
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: ellisr on August 10, 2010, 04:50:57 pm
don't slow down, hope your back gets better soon I know how it feels I came off the horse a few weeks ago but unfortunatly I had no choice but to keep going.
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: knightquest on August 10, 2010, 09:05:10 pm
I have used cider vinegar for my chooks (don't use a metal container with it) and yes it helps. I also use a mxture of garlic powder and poultry spice on there food to help with there health and keep beasties at bay.

What's the reason for not using a metal container?

Ian
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: supplies for smallholders on August 10, 2010, 09:41:45 pm
The acid in the vinegar can react with some metals, same reason you dont use aluminium pans etc for wine making - unless you have the luxury of stainless steel drinkers :-)

There are an untold amount of poultry "pick me ups" on the market, Vinegar being just one of them, others are poultry spice (Verm-X have just launched their version of it), Tonic with seaweed, Rooster booster, fulvic acid mixes - the list is endless......

My personal vies is: if you feed a good quality food and allow free ranging then all you would need from time to time would be a tonic, such as Poultry Spice. Although some of our customers swear by regular use od cider vinegar in the water.

Thanks
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: langdon on August 10, 2010, 09:52:39 pm
please can you clarify for me, i have asked this question before and have not been given a straight
forward answer.
can i go into my local co-op and pick up any cider vinegar or is there a cider vinegar esp for chickens?
thanks langdon ;) :chook:
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: knightquest on August 10, 2010, 09:56:13 pm
please can you clarify for me, i have asked this question before and have not been given a straight
forward answer.
can i go into my local co-op and pick up any cider vinegar or is there a cider vinegar esp for chickens?
thanks langdon ;) :chook:

The chap at castlefarmeggs.co.uk gives a brilliant description of feeding and he says that you should use the apple cider vinegar that is used for horses and such like.
Hope that helps,

Ian
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: supplies for smallholders on August 10, 2010, 09:58:50 pm
Any cider vinegar will do - although supermarkets might be more expensive - I know you dont like that  ;)

Ours is at : https://www.suppliesforsmallholders.co.uk/battles-poultry-cider-vinegar-p-542.html and is £3.98 per litre
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: Cobra on August 11, 2010, 03:39:03 am
Very helpful people, many thanks,  ;) My ladies are free range, without going overboard I would like to ensure they have whats needed to give them the best health.
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: langdon on August 11, 2010, 09:26:52 am
when you say horses i pursume i have to go to my farmers co-op?
langdon :chook:
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: sheardale on August 11, 2010, 12:38:14 pm
I shall try the cider vinegar too, and see how we get on
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: knightquest on August 11, 2010, 09:47:19 pm
when you say horses i pursume i have to go to my farmers co-op?
langdon :chook:

I went to a local stables/farm shop. I will be getting it myself soon if I can sweet talk the suppliers...  ;D

Ian
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: Daveravey on August 11, 2010, 11:59:54 pm
The stuff you're looking for is "unrefined apple cider vinegar" not the refined stuff you get in the supermarkets.

Add 5ml per 1lt of drinking water 1 week out of 3.
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: knightquest on August 12, 2010, 12:23:26 am
The stuff you're looking for is "unrefined apple cider vinegar" not the refined stuff you get in the supermarkets.

Add 5ml per 1lt of drinking water 1 week out of 3.

oooh I was going to do it all the time. I've got aluminium containers too so I presume that's a no no too?

Ian
Title: Re: Cider viniger
Post by: plumseverywhere on August 12, 2010, 10:41:42 am
I use it and it seems to keep the algae at bay too,