Someone mentioned once that a little apple cider vinegar in the sheep's drinking water was good for them. Why and how much. I am been using it the last week and there not drinking the water as they should, maybe I am putting in too much and I am not sure why I am putting it in. Anyone ever heard of this. Thanks, Debbie

-- Debbie (bwolcott@cwis.net), July 10, 2001

Answers

Response to apple cider vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar is used to get the sheep (or any other animal) used to the taste of "one water." We use apple cider vinegar because my children are in 4-H and our sheep go to many different fairs in many different counties with all kinds of water - well and city. If you give your sheep the vinegar in your water at home, they get used to the taste. This way if you take them someone else (say to a fair) and give them different water, you add the vinegar and the water tastes the same. Many animals won't drink "foreign" water and then usually become dehydrated and sick. This way you are guaranteed they'll drink it. You don't need much - just a few tablespoons. If you can smell the vinegar, then you are probably using too much. Start with just a tablespoon or two, then work up to a few more - so the sheep won't notice it. We even add vinegar to the cows water too for that same reason. Someone once told me that for sheep it gives them a nicer fleece, but I don't know about that one. Hope this helps!

-- Bev (cafemocha@ivillage.com), July 10, 2001.

Response to apple cider vinegar

I have always given apple cider vinegar to the chickens and our horses (in horses it helps prevent entroliths, "gut stones"), at the rate in drinking water of one ounce per gallon of water, or in the feed of one ounce per feeding per animal, horses get it twice a day. Sure helps to introduce it gradually, not all at once at this rate.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), July 10, 2001.

Response to apple cider vinegar

HI, WE'VE BEEN GIVING APPLE CIDER VINEGAR TO ALL OUR CATS,DOGS,CHICKENS AND GOATS FOR YEARS.IT REALLY HELPS. wE ONLY ADD A FEW TABLESPOONS TO THERE WATER. I'VE BEEN DRINKING IT IN WATER FOR YEARS. ALSO WE GIVE THEM GARLIC. WELL GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS. SUNSHINE- MOUNTAIN ASHE ACRES FARM. GP83196@AOL.COM

-- sunshine (gp83196@aol.com), July 10, 2001.

Response to apple cider vinegar

Adding a little vinegar to the water tank will help to prevent algae growth.

-- Kate henderson (kate@sheepyvalley.com), July 10, 2001.