Ancient cultures used vinegar for its medical benefits and it was used for healing bruises, disinfecting wounds, snake and insect bites.  Vinegar is antiseptic which kills germs on contact and also antibiotic. Apple cider vinegar contains over thirty important nutrients, a dozen minerals, more that half a dozen vitamins and essential acids and several enzymes, which makes apple cider vinegar a substance that contains many outstanding qualities that are beneficial to you and to your rollers.

Apple cider vinegar can provide you and your rollers with enzymes and important minerals, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, chlorine, phosphorus, iron, silicon and many trace minerals.  It also contains vitamin P (bioflavonoid), vitamin A (beta-carotene), and vitamin C, E, B1, B2 and B6.  It also contains malic acid, tannins, tartaric acid, propionic acid, acetic acid and pectin.  Most importantly, apple cider vinegar will help prevent the growth of bacteria or fungal growth on fresh foods and water.

The Encyclopedia of Natural Pet Care describes apple cider vinegar in this way: “Long a folk remedy, cider vinegar has been shown to improve the health of dairy cows, horses, dogs, and other animals and birds. It reduces common infections, aids whelping, improves stamina, prevents muscle fatigue after exercise, increase resistance to disease and protects against food poisoning…It normalizes acid levels [pH] in the stomach, improves digestion and assimilation of nutrients, reduces intestinal and fecal odors, help cure constipation, alleviates some symptoms of arthritis and help prevent bladder stones and urinary tract infections.”

Apple cider vinegar is often called one of Mother Nature’s most perfect foods.  Natural apple cider vinegar, found in health stores, should be a rich amber color with the “mother” quite visible as sentiment on the bottom.  The strength of vinegar is important.  All varieties of vinegar contain about 4 to 7 percent acetic acid, which gives vinegar its tart and sour taste. Apple cider vinegar destroys microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi, viruses and others, and prevents poisons from reaching the rest of the systems of the body.  It has been proven to inhibit the growth of germ-negative bacilli, Pseudomonas, and Candida. 

The acid nature of vinegar makes the digestive tract environment unpleasant for germs and fungus.  Apple cider vinegar has proven to be a natural treatment and preventative in simple cases of avian pediatric digestive disorders.  Dr. D. C. Jarvis, MD. Who wrote “Folk Medicine, A Vermont Doctor’s Guide to Good health”, through his own research believes that apple cider vinegar will lower bloods natural alkalinity, bringing it closer to a natural healthy acid state. 

A naturally acidic digestive tract, with the correct pH balance, will discourage bacteria and is less likely to grow yeast and fungus.  The acidic qualities of AVC will help break down protein, in the digestive system, for absorption into the bloodstream.

Proper hygiene is important in maintaining rollers health.  The environment we provide for our birds is totally different from the wild.  Pigeons in the wild are acclimated to the bacteria found in their natural environment but its body has no experience in providing immunity to the bacteria commonly found in the unnatural environment we provide for them. 

That includes humanly transmitted bacteria, normal tap water, unsanitized food dishes and cages.  Plain old white distilled vinegar will help reduce the toxic load in our environment.  Vinegar is an organic, biodegradable, nontoxic substance.  Vinegar can be used routinely and safely in the rollers loft as an effective cleaning and disinfecting agent.

In conclusion, AVC is a solution of acidic acid produced by fermentation of apples.  AVC contains cholesterol reducing pectin and the perfect balance of 19 minerals, including potassium, phosphorus, chlorine, sodium, magnesium, calcium among others.  There are great benefits from using AVC which includes the following:

·        Contains bacteria which is unfriendly to infectious microorganisms

·        Improves stamina

·        Increases resistance to disease

·        Protects against food poisoning

·        Aids in digestion

·        Aid in a variety of disease including arthritis

·        Regulate blood pressure

·        Maintains the correct pH in the body

AVC also has a wide range of applications such as:

·        A cleaning agent that will reduce mildew, germs and odor

·        A disinfectant for cleaning cages

·        Washing produce

·        Cleansing agent when sprouting seeds

·        ¼ tsp sprinkled over fresh food will function as an immune enhancer

·        Treatment of bacterial infections.

Hints to wipe out odor:

If you are preparing food in the house and expecting guests to arrive soon and notice that your cooking has caused quite a stink in the house, just add a bit of vinegar to the boiling water while cooking.  This works great for odor-causing foods such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower or Brussel sprouts. To remove the strong smell of foods, such as onion, garlic or fish from your hand, try washing them in apple cider vinegar and the smell will vanish. If your child brings home a stinky lunchbox, try placing a paper towel dampened with vinegar in the lunchbox and leave it overnight.  Wash the lunchbox in the morning and it should smell fresh.