Apple Cider Vinegar - does it help, or harm?

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Like most things on the internet, if you look hard enough there's an argument to convince the reader either way, and it can be exceedingly difficult to get a straight answer. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is just one example, so does it help, or harm? To be perfectly honest, there isn't a lot of research on the subject, but from the research I have read, and from my personal experience, here's my opinion…                 

ACV has been used for a very long time in traditional medicine, it’s used for its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and antioxidant properties, although most of the research to support these claims is laboratory based and not in living animals

ACV is usually added to drinking water to 'acidify' the gut, ‘acidification’ promotes an environment in which good bacteria thrive, and bad bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella do not thrive, therefore the acid environment helps to reduce bad bacteria in the gut. ACV is a weak organic acid, it isn't the best acidifier, but there are few alternatives available on a small scale. Commercial grade acidifiers (organic acids) come in large volumes, and they are very concentrated acids that would be quite dangerous to keep in your garden shed - and it's unlikely you'd ever get through a 20 litre drum!

ACV (cold pressed, unpasteurised, unfiltered) with the mother i.e. the floaty bits, has a number of extra benefits, it contains goodies such as polyphenols (antioxidants), good bacteria (probiotics), amino acids, enzymes, minerals and vitamins… All of this, along with the weak acids can help to promote better health and improve the gut environment

In summary, I support the use of apple cider vinegar. It’s a weak organic acid, and isn't as effective as commercial alternatives, but it can have some good effect to support health, if using a product that’s cold pressed, unpasteurised (raw), unfiltered, and with the mother. 

For occasional use, I'd suggest using between 20 ml to 40 ml per litre, make it fresh each day, and use for up to a week

• Please do not use ACV in galvanised (metal) drinkers, the zinc coating can be stripped by the ACV, and there's a risk of poisoning your birds!

• As with anything you add to your birds drinking water - always check your birds are drinking as expected - a drop in water consumption can indicate a health problem

• If adding products to drinking water consider that they may not like the taste, if not dilute it, or replace it with fresh drinking water