FINCHforum

Can I please get people's views on using
Apple cider vinegar as a worming agent for finches?
How effective is it? how often is it to be added to the drinking water?
at what dosage? And could there be other benefits?

All thoughts on the matter are appreciated.

daniel_b
I know some on the forum use ACV, but I don't because I had a finch die after I put some in the water. Not sure if it was the ACV, but when I use Worm Away, everyone is healthy, so I feel that is safe to use.

I personally would not depend on ACV to kill worms. You would be much better off with a good wormer like Worm-Away or Worm Out Gel

I agree, I don't use ACV for worming, I use a commercial wormer for that. I do add ACV to my water, but that is primarily because I have alkaline water. It tests at 8.4 pH. Adding ACV to the water helps bring it down to a more neutral level. I learned this trick from a gardener who told me I was killing my African Violets with my tap water, as they like a more acidic pH. I do believe people should know the pH of their water before adding ACV, as if you already have acidic water, you certainly wouldn't want to add even more acid to it.

Thanks ladies for your advice so far

I agree that it wouldn't be enough to kill the worms in your birds. I'm sorry you had that experience finchmix22. When I had my old lady finch at the Avian vet last month, he told me to use ACV to boost her immune system. She just couldn't get over this yearly eye infection she had been fighting. I'm not sure if you used organic ACV or not but regular ACV such as Heinz has a lot of pesticides in it. It's possible that could cause a problem with an already compromised bird.

I should have specified that I don't use plain old ACV, I use Bragg's organic raw unfiltered ACV. You can get it at health food stores, or my local groceries are starting to carry it.

Yes, Braggs is really the best!

You can also use ACV to help with yeast infections in the crop.

But indeed, I wouldn't use it for worming. If it was safe and effective, i think everyone would use it!

Fair point MiaCarter thanks for everyone's thoughts so far.
So it does have some benefits, but to use it as the only worming solution would be pointless...
if I do use it, how many ml of acv would I add to a litre of water?
P.s I am undecided on whether to use it or not.

These are the directions for apple cider vinegar from my avian vet: Use organic, non-pasteurized, non-filtered apple cider vinegar. It is imperative that you mix it with DRINKING water. (Check the label on the water to make sure it says drinking water. Publix brand is fine.) Mix one Tablespoon apple cider vinegar to one gallon drinking water. Store in refrigerator. When I tried it on one of my birds, he took a sip & looked at me like I was trying to poison him! He would not drink even plain water out of that cup again. If you try this, be sure your bird is drinking the water. If your bird doesn't like it, and there is no other water, the bird may die of dehydration. You can also cut back on the amount of apple cider vinegar. Hope this helps.

wildbird My avian vet told me to use 1/2 tsp. to 1 pint of water. That is so much less than what your vet said. Maybe if you tried much less they would drink it....in a different bowl of course. You already burned that bridge. Lol!

daniel_b....10 ml acv per 1 litre water...once a week

I was advised to use it 3 times per week. 10ml to 1 Litre of water. However, when i first started them on it i diluted it down a lot, just in case they didn't like it. It smells and tastes very strong so I want to give it to them slowly until they get used to it. I am up to 3ml per litre and they are drinking it fine, so I will increase the dose over the next week or so.

I use the Bragg brand, it is Raw and it has "The Mother" in it, which i believe is all the goodies.

I have been advised by 4 breeders now to use it for gutt and crop cleansing. I was told to use it for worming but I don't think that argument is very strong. I still will be using the Moxidectin for that.