Why Should I give my Chickens Apple Cider Vinegar?

Chickens are usually very entertaining and rewarding but it can be a worrying time to us as chicken keepers when they fall ill. As the old adage goes, prevention is better than cure and one of the best preventative and beneficial products to have among your poultry supplies is Apple Cider Vinegar.  

How does Apple Cider Vinegar help my chickens?

Apple Cider Vinegar contains minerals such as potassium, vitamins A and C, and calcium and phosphorous, which help to support the immune system, especially beneficial in times of stress. Sometimes during the annual moult, when moving or introducing new chickens, or when predators are making their presence felt, you may notice that your hens go off-lay, lose feathers or are generally listless, indicating stress.

Apple Cider Vinegar is, by its very nature, acidic, thus lowering the Ph of the digestive tract, and making it an inhospitable place for worms to live and breed and promoting healthy bacteria in the gut, aiding digestion and clearing the respiratory tract. 

Click the video link below to see the 2nd video in our #AskPhill series, to see the benefits of apple cider vinegar in chickens

How to administer Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is a very cost effective tonic and is added to fresh drinking water at the rate of one teaspoon (10ml) per litre and can be fed for about a week each month.  Chicks and young birds can also benefit but at a more diluted 2ml per litre.  Take care not to add too much Apple Cider Vinegar as if the application is too concentrated, your chickens may stop drinking.

Only use plastic drinkers when
administering apple cider vinegar

Only plastic drinkers should be used as galvanised drinkers will become corroded by the acidity of the Apple Cider Vinegar over a period of time, damaging both the drinker and releasing toxins into the water.

As well as tonic for drinking, Apple Cider Vinegar also has antiseptic and a mild antibiotic properties which can help treat minor wounds and skin irritations (use 1 part to 10).  It can depresses the growth of algae in the drinker and can also be used to clean feeding and drinking equipment. It can also be sprayed into and around housing as a very effective mite, fly and insect deterrent. 

If you have any questions about Apple Cider Vinegar or if you want to ask me a question to be featured in a future #AskPhill video, leave a comment below, or call us on 01300 345229 to speak to a member of the FSF Team.

Thanks for Reading.
Phill