Vinegar a Key Player in Poultry Health Management

Author:

Dr Jamsheid Hashmi (B.S Animal Sciences)

Assistant Farm Manager

Seasons Foods Layer Farm

Utilizing Vinegar for Poultry Health Management:

Vinegar is highly beneficial for bird health and can help alleviate many of the problems farmers commonly face nowadays. 

Initially, let's discuss the types of vinegar. There are three main types: 

1. Apple vinegar 

2. Grape vinegar 

3. Synthetic vinegar 

Apple vinegar and grape vinegar are particularly beneficial for bird growth, while synthetic vinegar, primarily used for cooking, can pose hazards to birds. Synthetic vinegar can be utilized for disinfection purposes, such as washing equipment and feeders.

Apple vinegar

Vinegar can be used to address various issues that birds may encounter, including: 

1. Off-feed birds 

2. Digestive problems 

3. Constipation 

4. Crop blockages (Pota Jam) 

5. Eggshell problems 

6. Excessive water intake 

7. Reduced water intake 

8. Fungal infections 

9. Lice infestations, and more.

Let's discuss the pH of vinegar: 

Apple vinegar typically has a pH range of 2.8-3.4, while grape vinegar falls within the same range. Both apple and grape vinegar contain vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They play a crucial role in stabilizing pH levels and facilitating the growth of probiotics like microflora.

Grape vinegar

Vinegar can be applied to feed through spraying, with a recommended dosage of 1ml per litre of water. In severe cases, this dosage can be increased to 10ml per litre. 

Synthetic vinegar

Adding vinegar to acidic water can normalize its pH, and the same principle applies to basic pH levels.