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Apple Cider Vinegar
Following the old cliché, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," may be credible for the pigeon fancier. Apples are one of the oldest, most nutritious foods on earth. They are rich in potassium. Calcium maintains our hard tissues such as bones, and potassium is the equivalent to the body's soft tissues, keeping the body's flesh and arteries soft and resilient. Fresh, organic apples are used to make Apple Cider Vinegar, which contains necessary ingredients, such as enzymes, and life stimulating minerals, mainly potassium, in a natural state. Besides being a natural stimulant for vitality, Apple Cider Vinegar cleanses and restores nutrients to the body so that the body can heal itself. Important for the pigeon fancier is the fact that Apple Cider Vinegar does not carry the E.Coli bacteria, as the acidity in the vinegar is effective in killing the 0-157 strains of E.Coli bacteria.
It should be in the natural state and not a pasteurized version. Pasteurization is the heating process intended to remove potential problem bacteria from consumable liquids such as milk, juices etc. However, this process will also remove delicate nutrients and enzymes that may constitute a major portion of the food value of that consumable. In the case of raw organic Apple Cider Vinegar liquids and tablets, pasteurization would eliminate the "mother", a major health giving factor of the vinegar. The mother is the dark, cloudy substance in the ACV – formed from naturally occurring pectin (fiber) and apple residues - it appears as molecules of protein connected in strand like chains. The presence of the mother shows that the best part of the apple has not been destroyed. Vinegars containing the mother contain enzymes and minerals that other vinegars may not contain due to over processing, filtration and overheating. ACV ranges in color from a light golden to orange. You'll know you've found natural ACV if you see sediment, referred to as the "mother" on the bottom of the bottle. The bottle should be shaken prior to use.
Many vitamins, minerals and other nutrients and substances are available in ACV to improve the health of your bird. ACV can provide them with enzymes and important minerals, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, chlorine, phosphorus, iron, silicon and other trace minerals. The vitamins contained in ACV are bioflavonoids (vitamin P), beta carotene (precursor to vitamin A), vitamin B1, B2, and B6, C,and E. Tannins from the crushed cell walls of fresh apples as well as acetic acid, malic acid, tarnaric acid, and propionic acid,
1 tablespoon per 4 litres (1.057 gal.) of water given to the birds twice a week seems to be a reasonable dosage for racing pigeons.
Another ACV article can be read at this site.
The product I use is by Nutram Foods Inc. Click here to visit their web site.
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