Apple cider vinegar…
it has great health benefits for people and is just as great for our dogs. Some of the many health benefits that apple cider vinegar has for people include:
- Kills bad breath
- Keeps you full longer
- Has a beneficial effect on blood sugar levels
- Helps clear sinuses
- Can boost energy
For dogs, apple cider vinegar has similar positive effects:
- Improves digestion
- Cleanses the skin from fungal and bacterial infections
- Relieves itching
- Relieves muscle fatigue
- Make our dogs less attractive to biting insects
But what about chickens? Are you a backyard chicken raiser? Did you know that Struttin Pup carries scratch and heel food?Scratch and peck feedersis organic, non-GMO, soy-free, raw and whole grain. If only we ate this well! At least your chickens can do that now, because 'after all, you are what your animals eat!' In this week's guest blog, we explore how ACV (and garlic too!) can help your flock. It's so simple and cheap that you'd be stupid not to!
If you're looking for ways to provide your chickens with extra nutrients, look no further than your kitchen cupboard. Two cheap and simple things that can greatly benefit your flock are raw garlic and organic apple cider vinegar (ACV). Similar to the health benefits people derive from itgarlicInACVChickens can also benefit greatly from these ingredients, including micronutrients, probiotics and antibacterial properties.
Apple cider vinegar, made from organically grown apples, is not pasteurized and retains many of the nutritious components of the fruit. It provides fermentation bacteria that support the health and development of chickens, equivalent tofermented food. ACV for chickens can lower the pH of their digestive tract, creating an unfavorable environment for intestinal worms and harmful bacteria. It can also kill dangerous bacteria in the throat that can cause respiratory diseases. For growing laying hens, organic ACV can increase calcium absorption, leading to stronger eggshells.
Giving your chickens a dose of ACV is as simple as adding it to their water. Make sure you start with organic, raw, unfiltered, and unpasteurized vinegar.Braggsis a well-known brand and their organic apple cider vinegar is widely recognized as a quality product. Mix one to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar for every quart of water and use only non-metallic containers. The acidic nature of vinegar can react with metal, so it is important to use glass or plastic containers for your chickens when adding ACV. Be conservative when using ACV during the warm months, when chickens consume less feed and therefore consume less calcium. The acidity of the vinegar can inhibit the calcium absorption needed to produce eggs with strong shells. Adding ACV to water is best done in the cool months when chickens are not under heat stress.
Around the farm, ACV can be used on hard-to-clean surfaces such as hatcheries and cages. Spraying a few drops in the corners or directly on the interior walls can help repel pesky flies and ants. Many backyarders use ACV to remove mold, mildew, dust and odors around their homes. Simply add a few teaspoons of raw, organic ACV to a spray bottle of water, mist the dirty surfaces and wipe with a clean cloth. If more elbow grease is needed for a particularly dirty surface, mix apple cider vinegar with coarse sea salt to safely rub away any grime. Baking soda mixed with a small amount of water also works. Finish with a spray of ACV solution to disinfect.
Garlic's immune-boosting odor control
Like ACV, garlic is its own natural wonder when it comes to preventing chicken diseases. Parasitic worms that disrupt digestion and food absorption cannot process the sulfur in garlic. The immune system can also be strengthened by garlic. As a bonus, chickens that are fed garlic regularly may experience less odor in their feces! The recommended ratio of garlic to water is one clove to one liter of water. Mash the garlic glove a little and drop it into the water. If you are giving garlic to chickens or your chickens for the first time, add the water in small amounts to allow them to get used to the taste and then slowly increase the amount of garlic over time. The younger you can get your chickens used to the taste, the sooner they can reap the benefits of garlic.
Since chickens are susceptible to many types of diseases, incorporating these natural and easy-to-find remedies into their diet is smart preventive care. Raw, organic apple cider vinegar and raw garlic are inexpensive, accessible, simple and effective ways to keep your chickens in optimal health.
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