Use of Apple Cider Vinegar in Chicken for Good Health & Better Production
Natural apple cider vinegar is slightly acidic with a ph of 5. It contains organic acetic acid (which gives it the “vinegar taste”). It contains trace elements, vitamins and minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and calcium. Apple cider vinegar also contains probiotic bacteria called acetobacter and lactobacillus.
How Does Apple Cider Vinegar Benefit Poultry?
The value of vinegar has long been exploited by professional poultry farmers. Acidifying water alters the gut’s bacteria, slowing the growth of nasty bacteria, and giving a boost to good bacteria. Acid also helps control coccidiosis and Clostridium bacteria, which can cause a fatal disease called necrotic enteritis.
Vinegar (acetic acid) is a cheap, accessible source of acid that anyone can find. It is, however, not a great acidifier…other organic acids such a butyric or proprionic acids actually work better.
Professional farmers regularly add baking soda to their feed when heat stress is expected….this maintains egg shell quality when hens’ feed consumption drops due to the heat.
Using vinegar in the water also helps keep bacteria from growing in your water system. It also smells good, and there is some evidence that birds will drink a little more, possibly because of taste.
At the end of the day, vinegar (apple cider or not) is an organic antibiotic that has a place in helping to control bacteria levels in your flock and altering bacterial populations in the gut.
Just remember that it has some minor negative consequences for the hens, as it makes some nutrients less available to the birds.”
Suggested Dosage Rates
- Mix 1 oz (2 Tbs) of ACV per gallon of water or free-choice at 50:50 with water in a plastic waterer or pan. ACV will corrode metal waterers.
What are the benefits of apple cider vinegar for chickens?
With these nutrients, apple cider vinegar is an excellent general tonic for chickens. Still, also, when metabolised as part of a balanced diet, it helps to increase the acidity level/lower the pH level in the gut. Lowering pH levels raises resistance to infection, by making it a less friendly place for harmful bacteria, as well as oocysts (a coccidian parasite causing coccidiosis in chickens) and possible poultry worms which prefer a more alkaline environment to thrive.
As well as this, the potassium content helps to build cellular wall strength which also helps to enhance resistance to bacterial infection.
Some of the most credible claims of apple cider vinegar for chickens are:
- Reduces stress, which all poultry are prone to at various times.
- Increases resistance to infection.
- May help to prevent poultry worms.
- Help to prevent coccidiosis.
- Improve fertility during the breeding season.
- It improves digestion and weight gain in chicks and growers.
- Keeps water containers cleaner/algae free.
- More flavour to poultry meat.
As well as using apple cider vinegar for chicken’s health, it is useful for cleaning and disinfection. The acetic acid kills off bacterial cells by penetrating cell membranes of these microorganisms.
Benefits
- It is unpasteurized, therefore retaining the ‘mother of vinegar,’ the source of its vitamins and minerals.
- It is high in acetic and malic natural acids.
- It is a rich source of potassium and is quickly assimilated. Potassium is necessary to build strength and fight bacteria by flushing out toxins.
- It has powerful healing, cleansing, natural antibiotic and antiseptic qualities.
- It provides both internal and external prevention and management of itch, bot flies, fleas, ticks, skin conditions, arthritis, mastitis, cystitis and other ailments.
- It is an excellent cleaning product.
Antibiotic
Vinegar acts as a antibiotic for yours chicken. So it can reduce yours chicken’s bacterial infections.
Vitamin & Minerals
The necessary vitamins and minerals which chicken should need for there better growth they can get it easily from vinegar.
Best For Respiratory System
Apple cider vinegar keeps chicken’s respiarting system healthy. So by using regulary ACV we can reduce the respiratory disease (CRD) in poultry.
Boosts Immunity & Digestive System
ACV keeps the broilers healthy. It provide them a stronger immune system thats prevent them from diseases.
Use in Diarrhoea
If yours chicks has looss drooping, then you can use vinegar cause it has a property to control the diarrhoea.
Cleaning Eggs
You can use vinegar for cleaning eggs. For this you should dip dirty eggs in warm water and add a little amount of vinger in this water.
NB-
ACV should NOT be added to the drinking water at the same time that birds are: Receiving certain medications, such as macrolide antibiotics (Tylan, Aivlosin), since these drugs are inactivated in an acidic environment. When its really hot, and hens are suffering from heat stress, since acified water reduces the availability of calcium in their diet.
Warning
Donot use vinegar in metal containers & Do not give directly vinegar, it will burn their tissues and can be harmful for yours chicken.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
