What to put in the water, if anything?

[Retri33]

Newbie here and trying to learn as much as I can from books, sites, and just plain trial and error, along with advice from coworkers of course---bottom line, what should I put in their water, if anything to keep it not only clean, but also for health benefits. We have only had our 4 girls for going on three weeks and right now only use plain water that we change out every day. I have heard/read everything from ACV, pennies, rosemary, antibiotics, etc. Trying to sort out the best options. Thanks for the help!

 

[A.T. Hagan]

If you're keeping it changed regularly you don't have to put anything in it. Especially if you have it up off the ground so they can't scratch it full of dirt and stuff.

But IF you're using a plastic waterer you might find it to be beneficial to put a little vinegar in the water. There's a LOT of hyperbole about vinegar in poultry usage so you'll have to dig through it to find what you do or do not believe. I personally do not believe it has to be Bragg's, raw, organic, or even cider vinegar. Two to three tablespoons of plain old vinegar to the gallon of water will go a long way to preventing the development of bio-film (slime) in the waterers so they don't have to be scrubbed so often and may well deter pathogenic microbes from growing or surviving in the water. Possibly cider vinegar may taste better than plain old white. I haven't done a side by side test to determine that.

But if you're keeping the water clean and change it regularly you really don't have to add anything.

 

[Retri33]

Thank you! Puts my mind at ease that I'm on the right track and will continue to do as I am then. We only have the four and sit with them every night, so changing the water every day is no trouble at all.

 

[chloezoebob101]

Just give them water straight from the hose or whatever you have, we give ours pond water

 

[kmatt87]

right now mine are on meds...

but i've been using organic, unpasturized ACV with the mother in it

 

[chloezoebob101]

right now mine are on meds...

but i've been using organic, unpasturized ACV with the mother in it

pardon my ignorance but what does 'with the mother in it' mean?

 

[kmatt87]

pardon my ignorance but what does 'with the mother in it' mean?

alot of vinegars, wines,and bread yeast have a "mother" in them. Its all the good bacteria that gets the batch going The bacteria multiplies and causes the chemical changes needed in liquids and baking.

 

[chloezoebob101]

alot of vinegars, wines,and bread yeast have a "mother" in them. Its all the good bacteria that gets the batch going The bacteria multiplies and causes the chemical changes needed in liquids and baking.

Thank goodness, i thought you meant like a mother hen.. wow, i am stupid. :/

 

[MyLittleFarm1]

It is best that you give them electrolytes you just put 1 package per gallon of water but make sure you give them fresh water everyday or it will sour on you.. depending on how many you have use a pint or quart jar on your little waterer.. You can never give to many electrolytes. just follow the instrutions on the package. I get mine at Tractor Supply..

 

[kmatt87]

Thank goodness, i thought you meant like a mother hen.. wow, i am stupid. :/

haha! not stupid at all. i have MANY days like that myself! lol

We make our own wine and i bake alot. If we didn't do either of those things I wouldn't know what the "mother" was either.