FINCHforum

OK - I read several things on here about putting clorox in the drinking water and also vinegar. I know one breeder I purchased a pair of my Gouldians from said she puts clorox in the water all the time. She siad the amount is 8 drops to 1 gal. She lets this set out overnight and the clorox disipates and leaves clean drinking water. She has been raising Goulds for 12-14 years. I know that this is suggested for humans also if there is an emergency and we are without clean water. I have been doing this or buying distilled or spring water in the jugs.....but that does get expensive. But, what about vinegar? Can you add it to the water that has been treated with clorox? Is the ratio for vinegar 1 drop per ounce (I think I read this somewhere)? And do we need to do this everyday or 1-2 times per week or what? Just wondered what works best for most of you out there.

Terry

I've done the bleach treatment in the past only when my Gouldian was ill. I use regular city tap water day to day.

I use regular tap water, but I have been adding apple cider vinegar at the rate of 1 Tablespoon per gallon of water. I use the organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar that I get at the health food store. I also usually put the same amount of ACV in their bath water, it's supposed to be good for their feathers. I figure if I put ACV in their drinking water and not in their bath water, they'll just drink their bath water. If I'm adding calcium or iodine to their drinking water, then I leave out the ACV.

So, the Apple Cider Vinegar to use is the what you get at the health food store. The kind in the regular food section at the local store is not the same thing I guess?
I will try to get some of the other - because I have ACV you can get at the food store.

Thanks for all you comments on all of our questions. I am new at this and learn something every day. People on here are so helpful and friendly. I check this forum out several times a day to make sure I don't miss something I need to know.

Terry

I think she was just saying her preference was the organic store stuff, probably healthier and pesticide free for the birds.

The brand of ACV I get at the health food store is Bragg. I am not a big health nut, so don't know a lot about it, but I believe the ACV you get in the grocery store has had all the good stuff taken out of it, or some such thing.

We're all learning all the time. Just when you think you have it figured out, someone writes an article that makes you rethink what you are doing! Once you have good healthy birds that produce good healthy babies, you have a good program.