Water additives........

[BluJay]

When I bought my first Gouldians here, the seller used regular water and finch mix. After seeing yellow Gouldians I had to have some. I met the seller in a parking lot, in Sydney. They had made an awesome little screened box, which contained a container with cotton saturated with with water and seed mix on scattered on the bottom. I paid 80.00 per bird x 4 totaling 320.00. The breeder advised me to put ACV in water on rainy damp days, and to put garlic in water two or three times a week. I followed the breeders advice as to the care of their birds. Later, a show breeder of birds and avian supply products, Sydney area, talked me into buying 2 liters stockhealth double strength ACV with garlic. Which I still have to date, in view of the hostility met on this fourm regarding water additives. At the same time I had purchased Paswells multi cleanse, which I have currently started using. Still get hostile responses for sharing my experiences with what I use. "Stomping on another's opinion", I believe was said. I met some other very reputable breeders who advised me to use the passwells multi cleanse I have in the drinking water of my birds, and with sprouting seeds.
As to mike fiddler, didn't he learn about Virkon-S usage in tube waterers and relatives using it in their Poultry drinking water without issues? Which is what gave him an idea? I have also seen breeders use this in their drinking water.
In fact, the breeders I am learning from have taught me about a lot of things that are added to the water for the benefit of the birds. These breeders are also members of the hunter valley avian society, and some my birds have HVAS on their leg bands. Are these breeders hypocrites? What is the big deal about water additives that benefit the birds?
The non additive is fine with automatic waters (those have their issues) and the water works in large out door avaries. Why should anyone be met with hostility by doing right by their birds? Regards

[Tiaris]

No big deal at all. ACV, wormers, etc via water is very much common practice.

[SamDavis]

I use ACV on a weekly basis. What I have learnt is that I haven't learnt all that much and have much to learn. Every breeder has different aviaries and different ways of succeeding. What works for one doesn't always work for others. You learn from others but don't just expect they will work for you and your routine. we should all respect each others ways of doing things.

I'm rambling again.... gotta love that American Honey!

Sam

[wagga]

Water additives some breeders use it,while others dont. I am confused about this topic. Are you wanting some advice on what others use and why they use it?

[BluJay]

Thank you, Tiaris for your honest comment. And your rambling Sam Davis. It's good to know that there are others that use waters additives. It nice not being made to feel like turd for doing so.
Is it bee honey you speak of Sam Davis? If so what kind do you like?

[Stu]

gobble, gobble

[Tiaris]

I thought he meant bourbon (wouldn't recommend it as a water additive for finches BTW)

[finchbreeder]

gotta love that American Honey!
Definately best without any water. And I don;t use addatives in my birds water either, and I do use auto waterers. But while that is my prefered way of doing things everybody is welcome to do things their way, as long as it works for them and their birds. I will happily answer peoples questions and give suggestions. But I ask only that you read and decide for yourself if you wish to try what I suggest, and feel free to ignore me.
LML

[Canary]

I would recommend that you ask lots of questions of how other breeders do things, then ask them why they do it. Take it all in and if it sounds reasonable and they have good management and breeding results then try it. Adjust it to suit yourself. I know that some things that work for others have not worked for me, and vice versa.

This year I changed my multi vitamin additive based on someone's recommendation. I do not believe that it has been as good as the current multivitamin that I was using. I now add them alternatively as I have a 1 litre bottle, that cost an arm and a leg, that I don't want to through away.

My feeding system, water additives, egg food, show cage training and everything else I do is based on someone's advise or recommendation which I have then adapted to suit myself, and in most cases I believe that I have improved upon the advise so that it suits me.

Everyone is different and all birds are different. At the end of the day it is a matter of watching your birds.

Back on track with the topic, I add to my birds water multivitamins, apple cider vinegar, Epsom salt and colour food. They do also get fresh water from time to time.

[BluJay]

Thank you, Canary. Epsom salt ( magnesium sulphate), now that is very interesting. It has lots of purposes, like soaking my aching feet! Just naming one . What are the benefits you believe it has for birds? Kind Regards.

PS: what colour additive do you use?