The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: cuckoo on January 01, 2015, 09:58:46 pm

Title: Cider vinegar in water
Post by: cuckoo on January 01, 2015, 09:58:46 pm

Does anyone add this to their goat's water - if so what for and how much?

Thanks

Title: Re: Cider vinegar in water
Post by: cans on January 01, 2015, 10:25:09 pm

Hi,  My boss occasionally used to add a capfull of cider vinegar to the feed.  Usually for the heavy milker and not very often.

Hope that helps

Title: Re: Cider vinegar in water
Post by: Anke on January 02, 2015, 07:50:58 am

I do sometimes. In summer more than winter (warm water in winter anyway).

Title: Re: Cider vinegar in water
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on January 02, 2015, 11:58:19 am

My milking girl gets it in the soaking water for her sugar beet and I occasionally put a water bucket out with it in for the others so they can choose that or plain water.

Title: Re: Cider vinegar in water
Post by: Lesley Silvester on January 02, 2015, 05:31:46 pm

What is the idea of adding cider vinegar?

Title: Re: Cider vinegar in water
Post by: ballingall on January 03, 2015, 08:23:44 am

I have done it years ago, at shows, and I did it to disguise the fact that it was different water to what they got at home. Because water in different locations could have a different taste.
However haven't used it since we moved here, as goats have drunk much better we moved here. Plus, now I would probably use molasses to tempt them to drink rather than cider vinegar.

I have a vague recollection about cider vinegar being good at mating time, but I can't remember why now....

Title: Re: Cider vinegar in water
Post by: clydesdaleclopper on January 03, 2015, 02:02:13 pm

Quote from: ballingall on January 03, 2015, 08:23:44 am

I have a vague recollection about cider vinegar being good at mating time, but I can't remember why now....

I think Pat Coleby said if you gave it to your billy it would increase the chances of female kids

Title: Re: Cider vinegar in water
Post by: sokel on January 03, 2015, 03:12:39 pm

Ours get it every day in a bucket of warm Tea , most of them love it but a couple wont touch it

Title: Re: Cider vinegar in water
Post by: Anke on January 03, 2015, 03:44:57 pm

Cider vinegar will help balance the pH, and will help prevent the formation of urinary calculi. Especially if you feed a lot of sugar beet to the (castrated) boys.

If I put it in warm water the smell puts the goats off, but in the summer I often put a dash into their drinking water. Not for the kids though, as long as they are on milk.

Title: Re: Cider vinegar in water
Post by: Lesley Silvester on January 03, 2015, 08:34:06 pm

As I don't have castrated boys, I probably won't bother then. My girls don't drink much although they have warm water twice a day this time of year, cold in the summer, but every so often they surprise me and empty the bucket.


I have been known to give them a bit of black treacle in water to encourage them.

Title: Re: Cider vinegar in water
Post by: couann on January 26, 2015, 04:31:03 pm

I give our sheep some apple cider vinegar in their water .....it gives them some minerals they need and prevents worms! Works well .

Title: Re: Cider vinegar in water
Post by: bazzais on January 26, 2015, 06:33:38 pm

I think it helps 'normalise' PH - thats why its recommended to humans too (in that sphere of education)

I cant see it not helping - (unless your feeding it raw)

Title: Re: Cider vinegar in water
Post by: cuckoo on January 27, 2015, 09:50:11 am

Thanks all - will have to get some