Apple cider vinegar for chickens: pros and cons, how much to use. (2024)

The health benefits and possible problems of organic apple cider vinegar for poultry, how to give it and how much to use.

What about the benefits of apple cider vinegarchickens?

Antibiotic use in livestock has been considered a risk by the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization for decades. It is known that the overuse of antibiotics has caused antibiotic-resistant bacteria to become part of everyday life.

It is crucial that its use is severely limited. In Europe, the use of antibiotics in livestock farming has been banned since 2006. Other ways had to be found to combat diseases, especially bacterial diseases. This led to research into natural alternatives.

Apple cider vinegar turned out to be such an alternative.

Important: Type matters! Apple cider vinegar and the "mother".

The apple cider vinegar you see in your local grocery store is probably pasteurized. The pasteurization processkillsbeneficial bacteria. So it doesn't offer the same health benefits.

You have to searchnatural, organic, unpasteurizedACV. It is this raw, unprocessed strain that contains the 'mother'. The 'mother' develops during fermentation and is the source of the probiotics - good bacteria - along with vitamins and minerals.

Braggsis one of the most respected brands of organic apple cider vinegar.

How can you tell the difference?

• Pasteurized is clear. The "mother" (and most of the nutrients) have been filtered out.

• Unpasteurized is cloudy, and you'll see a cobweb-like substance hanging in the liquid - that's the "mother".

• If you make one yourself, the “mother” will likely be even denser than in commercially produced ACV – a bit like a slice of liver. Take a look at the image below: It may not look pretty, but that's where the good lies.

This slimy root is the "mother" - found only in unpasteurized ACV.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Poultry “Cure” Claims.

You'll see testimonials all over poultry blogs and websites about ACV curing just about anything. Most of it is purely anecdotal - "it must work because I give it to my chickens and they have never had worms/mites/diarrhea/respiratory problems..."

But many other people have never used it and neither have their chickens!

Some of the supposed benefits I've seen for chickens include:

• Stress relief for chickens that are not feeling in great shape
• Get rid of 'germs' and 'nasty toxins'
• Promotes healthy "mucus flow" and thereby "clears the airways" and heals respiratory diseases
• Makes the intestines a “nasty place for worms to live” so it must be a natural dewormer
• The bad taste seeps through the skin of the chicken; Mites and lice disappear because they hate the taste

• Stops diarrhea
• Increases egg production
• Regulates the body's 'ph' so that everything 'works at its peak'
• Is a general tonic or stimulant.

It's really not good enough to make claims about something without evidence that has been properly tested.

Some of this stuff is nonsense and can cause real problems if taken seriously.Mitesfor example, don't be "put off by the bad taste"! And the "mucosal" studies referenced have nothing to do with the respiratory system. It has to do with the intestines - this is a serious misconception of some bloggers.

Failure to properly address any of these issues can lead to serious illness and even death.

Be realistic. Don't expect one dose of ACV to cure most of the things it is promoted for!

This is what studies have found apple cider vinegar to beisa specific benefit.

My red stars love hanging in their apple tree!

What'sprovenHealth benefits of apple cider vinegar for chickens?

1. Using ACV to prevent coccidiosis.

It has been known for some time that the bacteria that cause coccidiosis in chickens have become increasingly resistant to medicines. That, along with growing public concern about antibiotics in meat, has meant that the poultry industry has recently invested in finding alternatives.

They found one in apple cider vinegar (always with the mother).

Recent studies^(1,2)have shown that chickens were given apple cider vinegar in their feeddrinkwater“significantly increased” the percentage of beneficial antioxidants and “significantly reduced” the level of harmful toxic stressors in cells.

The result: "No clinical signs of coccidiosis were observed in the vinegar group. In two control groups, chickens showed clinical signs of coccidiosis... and the number of coccidiocytes in feces increased over time."

• So there is specific, researched evidence that ACVbe able tohelp control coccidiosis.

2. Apple cider vinegar, bad bacteria and the immune system.

Other studies with both adult chicks⁽3⁾and day-old cubs followed to adulthood⁽⁴⁾, have specifically demonstrated ACV's effectiveness against other bacteriasalmonella, Campylobacter in Escherichia coli (e-coli).

By eliminating these 'bad' bacteria, it also 'improved' the specific and non-specific immunity of poultry.

• So there is specific, documented evidence that maternal apple cider vinegar reduces the chance of chicks becoming infected with harmful bacteria and strengthens their immune system.

3. Apple cider vinegar is used in the digestion of nutrients.

It is possible to make an ACV yourself, but things can go wrong.

A word about apple cider vinegar and calcium absorption in chickens.

You'll see many sources online that say apple cider vinegar prevents chickens from absorbing calcium, which is of course essentialegg-laying tips.

You'll see others say thatSupport equipmentcalcium absorption. Sometimes you see both statements in the same article – even in the same paragraph.

The most recent survey, conducted in 2021⁽6⁾, has shown that ACV is aincreasein the intestine's ability to absorb nutrients, including calcium.

The main message here is thatoverconsumptionof ACV causes the problems. Stay within the recommended dose and giveextra calciumfor your chickens, probably won't have an impact.

4. ACV Benefits for Chicken Growth.

Because apple cider vinegar reduces bacteria, which in turn increases the ability to absorb nutrients, there is some evidence⁽3^,4⁾that the overall growth of the chickens increases over time.

This is important for the broiler industry, where the birds are expected to grow very quickly.

For our backyard chickens, this is clearly a benefit – we want our chickens to reach their full potential – but this is not the main effect of ACV. The main benefit is the control of harmful bacteria.

5. ACV and its benefits for egg production.

A study⁽5⁾showed that egg production in chickens fed apple cider vinegar "significantly increased" between 24 and 28 weeks of age compared to a control group not given ACV.

At other ages the difference did not appear to be statistically significant.

• So egg productionbe able tobe helped by ACV, but only for a short time when the chicken is at the peak of her laying capacity.

Is there proof?modHow to Use Apple Cider Vinegar for Chicken Health?

You may see on blogs or forums that claims about ACV benefits are grossly exaggerated – and they're right.

What'sdoesn'tIt is correct to argue that because the studies all rely on broiler chickens, they should be discarded to backyard flocks. Yes, broiler chickens are different (and for the record, I am not in favor of raising broiler chickens. They have huge problems because they are bred to grow huge very quickly).

But a chicken's digestive system is the same regardless of which type you're talking about. And that is where the most benefits lie.

There is an investigation⁽⁷⁾suggesting there was no effect from adding ACV to water, but the test conditions between that study and others were different - and this is an old study. Since then, much more research has been done due to the need to reduce the use of antibiotics.

However, there is evidence that:

• ACV should not be used at the same time as certain medications, especially antibiotics.⁽3⁾

• It should never be used with metal containers⁽3⁾. The acidity affects the metal. Use plastic watering cans orstoneware.

Conclusion.

Raw, organic, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar.

There is specific research and peer-reviewed evidence that maternal apple cider vinegar:

• Can be a powerful alternative to using antibiotics

• Reduces harmful bacteria in the intestines

• Increases the digestive system's ability to process and absorb nutrients (except calcium)

• Boosts the chicken's immune system

• Be able toaid in egg production

• Helps keep algae and bacteria out of water containers.

There is no evidence that apple cider vinegar in the mother:

• Helps the respiratory system or "clears the airways"

• Get rid of worms, mites or lice because they “don't like the taste”

• Makes chickens drink more because they like the taste

• Stops diarrhea

• “Regulates the body's pH level” (whatever that means!)

• “Reduces the usefulness of chickens” (again, whatever that means).

Dosage and how to use it.

It's pretty easy to make your own ACV with the mom, but it's not expensive to buy and if you use it, a bottle will last a long time!

Homegrown also tends to have less acidity than the carefully controlled commercial brands. And if not done properly, mold can grow, so it should be thrown away.

The best source I have found is Bragg's. It's organic and unpasteurized so it contains breast milk, it's gluten-free, and it's a reputable brand that has been in business since 1912.

It also has the advantage of having an acetic acid concentration of 5%, which is exactly the level that research shows.

How Much Apple Cider Vinegar is Enough?

• The study used different levels of ACV in water – from 1% to 5%. Thatoptimal levelturned out to be 2%. This corresponds to 20 ml per liter of water, or about 5 tablespoonspr US gallonof water.

• For chickensthe level should be much lower, at 0.5% or 5 ml (1 teaspoon) per liter of water or just fourofshave pr. US gallon.

• Do not leave ACV in plastic water all the time. Do not add it for more than one week per month.

• Don't add it to the feed. Wet food is sensitive toto developbacteria, do not prevent this.

Would you like to know more about fermentation?

Fermenting chicken feed is an excellent way to strengthen their immune system, keep disease at bay and help them lay eggs with stronger shells.

These two articles describe (left) the benefits of fermentation for chickens, based on research findings and related to our backyard flocks; and (really) exactly how to make fermented chicken food in four easy steps, from choosing the right containers and feed to exactly what to do day by day.

If you liked this article, you'll love this one too!

Sources.

Many "facts" you find on the Internet are often people's individual opinions, based on inaccurate information repeated from poor quality sources.

The information I provide in this article and others is based not only on my own experiences, but on proven facts from scientific, peer-reviewed research from highly respected and experienced poultry farmers like Gail Damerow.

These are some of the sources I used in this article. They are certainly not the only ones; you will find many more by simply searching.

1. Firas, FMF Hayajneh et al: Anitcoccidial effect of apple cider vinegar on broiler chickens: an organic treatment. Pub. Polish Journal of Veterinary Medicine, 2018.

2. Quiroz-Castaneda, R.E. and Dantan-Gonzalez, E.: Control of avian coccidiosis: future and current natural alternatives. Pub. BioMed Research International, 2015.

3. Khan, S.H. et al: Recent developments in the role of organic acids in poultry nutrition. Pub. Italian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2015.

4. Allhardo, P. et al.:Effect of probiotics and vinegar on growth performance, meat yield, immune response and small intestinal morphology in broilers. Pub. Italian Journal of Animal Sciences, 2018.

5. Dhawale, A: Better eggshell quality with an intestinal acidifier. Pub. Poultry International, 2005.

6. Jahantigh, M, et al: Effects of dietary vinegar on performance, immune response and small intestinal histomorphology in broiler chickens from 1 to 28 days old. Pub. Journal of Veterinary and Medical Sciences, 2021.

7. Kubena, L.F: Effects of drinking water treatment on the susceptibility of laying hens to Salmonella Enteriditis during forced moult. Pub. Journal of Poultry Science, 2005.