Listerine and/or Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)?

[DanteD716]

I must agree I also found it kind of rude. Don't mean to chase away the new guy. I have followed all of Cindy's advice, and all her advice has worked well with me. She is full of knowledge, and if she doesn't have an answer she gets you one!

And thanks Kenny! I am glad you respect my opinion. It was also great meeting you! Your information has helped me alot.

[cindy]

Thank you so much Kenny. I appreciate your kindness. I have also learned a lot from you and enjoy reading your posts.

[CandoAviary]

Miss Q, I agree that the world is a great diversity of people with many ways of doing things. I think we can learn form everyone, novice, advanced and experts in all things I personally can say I have learned something from just about every person on this and other forums at some time or another.
As you are Miss Q, I am called Sweet Candy and I know it is a term of endearment and not a street insult Of course once you know someone personally it is easy to see what they mean by their written/spoken word and take it for what it is.
Many have never met, nor talked to Dean so all they have is his written word which obviously many find offputting.

Dayna, I agree that being mindful of how you say things is always good advice. Also being mindful of how you read a post is good advice also. Also realizing that different cultures and language translations sometimes leave finesse to be desired. I still don't see the rude... maybe I'm just extremely openminded. I just see them as opinions. Even when people are rude, I see it as a simple defense mecanism. We never know what hurts and insecurities people harbor deep down.
I always read post on any page with an open mind. I also realize at the end of the day that I love people.(and birds) I also realize for me at least, it isn't all about me, nor my relationships with people but it's all about my realtionship with God that matters. None of us are perfect but forgiving is... perfect. So hopefully we can all go on sharing wonderful things about our birds...whether we choose to follow those ways or not is okay

As far as the limestone... I learned it from the expert Dean. If he does not come back to share then I will

[dfcauley]

Thank you Donna....I agree. I do not care is someone is the smartest person in the world or not....rude is rude. And by the way this is an informal forum no need to address me as Mrs Cindy.

Let's just make one thing clear....no one knows anothers background, schooling, social status, whether someone's parent, husband or friend has made a grand contribution to the world or if the person lives simply and just has a good heart. I hold my knowledge close, others grand stand theirs....the bottom line is respect.

Dean has made 6 posts on this forum...I have been here for years, I would not dream of insulting someone the way that he did to me on the first page of Rour's topic thread. These petty insults need to stop, some make comments that are pointed and then later claim it was not intended for the individual. Problem is that once it is said, it is said.

We are here for a reason to help each other but the kinder we are to each other the better it will be.

Dear All,
I don’t like chat room in general but I like this chat room first time I saw. One thing I have learned that if we wanted to hear the truth from everyone meaning everyone should be able to handle the differences.
Diversity is great, differences are opportunities to learn.
Everyone s entitled to an opinion. It is up to individual to make choices. This is the most Global Chat room I have seen. It is diverse it means It might sound weird for one but for not another. Generosity and opened minded is the key once we are in a Global environment. I work with diversity group, business for 24 years and I learn new thing every day.
Be honest with you all, when I first got here – there are several post I have seen – I was offended by the members who is here for years and I feel bulled by those. But I have to remind myself that it is diverse – I should not take thing personally. Especially in writing – the communication can go way wrong.
I have great respects for everyone here in Finch room. I do strongly believe in every individual member is an Expert in something. We can all learn from each other no matter what…
I am not here to defend Dean, or Candace – I know Dean as a Friend and his kind heart – When I first talked to him he called me MS Q, Should I be offended?
Cindy- I don’t know you well YET  but I do strongly feel you are a super expert as well.
I do interact with International cultural differences whether at home or work, or social network so I do understand why. There are tons of Medical methods from East to West that so conflicted with each other in regarding science. But it works for whoever believes in it then it works. We make choices for our self. Whatever is best and work for East and West then I pick both and try- Sometimes it does not work me but it works for others.
All I just wanted to say is once we are in Globale environment – Please be open minded. I strongly believe that Generosity and opened minded is the global bridge that brings us together.
I respect those who agree with me and I respectfully disagree with those who do not agree with me. 
Thanks for sharing,

Dear Q,

What a very kind and sweet way or putting things. Please know I took to heart your every word. Thank you for sharing....
Now... on with the Listerine and ACV debate!

[cindy]

Thank you Q for you kindness,,,,it is about respect and sharing, and of course....finches!

[lovemyfinch]

Gonna have to agree here with Donna
On with the discussion of ACV and Listerine.
After all, we are all here to learn not to sling mud.
I honestly didn't see anything insulting in any of the posts, just a possible language barrier, that all are going to have to learn to step over if we want to keep this forum international.
It is always wonderful to learn what worked for others, and then make our own decisions.
Hopefully Dean will continue to honour us with his experiences, after all life is about learning.

[Hilary]

To Janine's point, two pages on what is considered rude is enough - please keep the discussion to the topic.

[dfcauley]

I was wondering about the water our birds actually drink. Sometimes I think that just pure, clean water is the BEST thing we can give our birds. I honestly don't even like to add anything to the water. Don't you all think that just clean pure water is the best???

[cindy]

Donna, I found and this is from my observation...the birds love the pure water...I use the pure water for baths...when I rotate out the cups or tubes I will leve the ACV out once in a while and they go to it more...I don't like putting a lot of chemicals into the water. The ACV is mainly in there (for me at least) to cut down the slime...but I change the tubes out daily anyway or if the water is low.

[Sally]

I think one problem with just pure local water is that it varies so much from one part of the country or the world to the other. My water (county water supply) is very alkaline. I add 1 Tbs. ACV per gallon of water, simply trying to make my water more acidic. I know this works for plants that prefer a more acidic water (when I don't have rainwater available for my plants--the best). I also add this 1 Tbs. ACV per gallon to their bath water, since they usually also drink their bath water! I use the ACV on a daily basis, with no problem that I can attribute to that use. This works for me, but would not be a good idea for someone who has acidic water to begin with. So we all have to adjust any program to what works in our area. And if it ain't broke, don't fix it!!

[cindy]

Sally, do you use filtered water...we do, the water from tap tastes terrible.

[Sally]

I don't use filtered water, I don't find any bad taste in my tap water, it is just alkaline. I do have a water dispenser on my fridge, and that water is filtered, but I don't see a noticeable difference in taste from the tap or the fridge. I do use bottled or distilled water for handfeds.

[CandoAviary]

Pure water, clean water is the best. The problem is most water has some additives, whether it is chlorimine, flouride, and levels of bacteria are allowed. Our water is tested for what levels are safe for humans, not timy birds. Referring to municipal tap water.
Well water has it's own set of problems... all depending on the soil, PH balance, contaminated runoffs, drought, etc.
Bottled water can contain estrogen from the plastic leaching along with other chemicals.
Rain water can also pick up radical acids from the air as it falls to the ground.
Even distilled water isn't a total safety item... with birds they contaminate their water with dirty beaks, dropped seeds, poop and if in bath...all of these things. So even if you start with clean water the birds are sure to foul it in short time.
Additives to waters help keep cleaner longer. This is why they add chlorine to our tap water... to help fight the bacteria that may thrive in it.
A bird with a strong immune system is the best scenario for combating harmful organizms in the enviroment. Many caged birds have stressed immune systems from overcrowding, improper diets, household contaminants, etc.
Whether keepers use additives/water cleaners, offer fresh water often, or other appraoaches one thing is for sure... many captive birds become sick due to contaminated water or greens not properly cleaned or from seed that has become wet (including sprouts),
All we can do is be diligent on offering the cleanest water possible, whatever method works best for them..
Me personally, with my big bird house I use just plain tap water. It does contain chlorine. With canaries I am more careful because canaries drink much more water than my australian finches and grasskeet. They also seem to have a more delicate digestive system.

[Dayna]

I have been boiling my finches water before giving it to them to kill off all the bugs and chemicals in it. Our tap water is usually pretty good (smells terribly of chlorine) but for the last month have had to boil all my water since they found giardia in our drinking water!

[debbie276]

I have only used my well water for the birds. Our first house had extremely hard water and they did fine. This house has much softer water and they do fine with this too. I have the well tested yearly. I did add vinegar at one time but honestly didn't see a difference so stopped. Knowing that they are getting more minerals from the water then if I used filtered I may not need to give so many supplements. Everyone must look at what they have available and what they supply themselves. There is no single answer to bird care, each household will be different in my opinion.