Dirty Waterers

428 Views 8 Replies 6 Participants Last post by robin416, 4 mo ago

Sardonyx#1

Discussion Starter · 4 mo ago

I visit other sites having to do with homesteading, chicken care, animal care and etc. One lady, who is truly knowledgeable, says 'if you're not willing to drink from a chicken's waterer then they shouldn't drink from it'.
I don't think she means that literally but you get the point. I clean my chickens waterers at least once per week. They do tend to get pretty grungy. I would be more particular but they can be sparkling clean and full of fresh water and as soon as I turn the chickens out they head for the grungiest (Chicken poop, bird poop, soupy mud, etc.) mud puddle they can find and drink.
So my question is how particular are you folks?

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robin416

· #2 · 4 mo ago

I watch it. The Quail are pigs. I swear they spit in the waterer. The biggest concern is that the fouled water could grow bacteria since it's a closed environment and cause illness. So their waterer gets cleaned much more often.

My Guineas are totally different. Their water can be pristine right up until it's nearly empty.

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Poultry Judge

· #3 · 4 mo ago

Nothing destroys the waterers like ducks.

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robin416

· #4 · 4 mo ago

The quail would give the ducks a run for their money. I quit using the three gallon waterer because I had to clean it way before they drank much water.

And it's a hanging waterer so it should stay cleaner. It doesn't.

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dawg53

· #5 · 4 mo ago

Currently I change out waterers 2 times a week. Summer time they get changed 3-4 times a week. Birds drink more water when it's hot. They get changed right away if there's feces in the container.
I used to like the 3 gallon hanging waterers, but I hated lugging them to the pens. Summertime was worse, they get more dirty and slimy requiring breakdown and scrubbing them out with bleach water, too much work.
Here's what I recently purchased and currently have in my pens: I use a battery powered syphon pump to drain it, hose to rinse it out and refill in no time. Done.

Tableware Dishware Rectangle Serveware Peach

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imnukensc

· #6 · 4 mo ago

I use a homemade 5 gallon waterer with horizontal nipples. I've painted it black since this picture was taken except for 1 strip about an inch wide so I can see the level in it. I also have some small pieces of copper pipe in it. Copper is a natural biocide and the lack of sunlight keeps algae from growing in the waterer. I clean it about twice a year. Otherwise I just fill it whenever needed, but it's never less than 1/3 full.

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robin416

· #7 · 4 mo ago

dawg53 said:
Currently I change out waterers 2 times a week. Summer time they get changed 3-4 times a week. Birds drink more water when it's hot. They get changed right away if there's feces in the container.
I used to like the 3 gallon hanging waterers, but I hated lugging them to the pens. Summertime was worse, they get more dirty and slimy requiring breakdown and scrubbing them out with bleach water, too much work.
Here's what I recently purchased and currently have in my pens: I use a battery powered syphon pump to drain it, hose to rinse it out and refill in no time. Done.
View attachment 46130

You do realize I thought you were talking about waterers and not dish pans.

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Lillith

· #8 · 4 mo ago

I use nipple drinkers and the "tank" is completely closed off, so my birds can't really mess in it. I do wash it out with soap and water whenever I refill, rinse with bleach water, and then rinse again with clean water. It's a huge heavy duty storage tub, so I maybe have to refill once every 2-3 weeks depending on the weather. The tank is black, so I've never had problems with things growing in it because no sunlight can get in.

If a bit of debris falls in while I'm checking the water level, I just scoop it out. Usually that's leaves or a feather or a bug, so nothing like poop. Their water stays pretty clean, but I wouldn't drink it, haha.

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robin416

· #9 · 4 mo ago

Lillith said:
I use nipple drinkers and the "tank" is completely closed off, so my birds can't really mess in it. I do wash it out with soap and water whenever I refill, rinse with bleach water, and then rinse again with clean water. It's a huge heavy duty storage tub, so I maybe have to refill once every 2-3 weeks depending on the weather. The tank is black, so I've never had problems with things growing in it because no sunlight can get in.

If a bit of debris falls in while I'm checking the water level, I just scoop it out. Usually that's leaves or a feather or a bug, so nothing like poop. Their water stays pretty clean, but I wouldn't drink it, haha.

You could secure a piece of screen over it to keep stuff from falling in. I did that with a tub that collects water. Keeps skeeters out too.

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