Posted by Kelly Liston on July 26, 2009 at 10:49am
Does anyone else find the algae that grows in the chicken waterer a gross pain to deal with?! I used to put this algaecide (sp?) in my dog's waterer (it is safe for animals), but I have hesitated to put it in the chicken's water because I don't want whatever is in that to be in my eggs.What do all of you do to keep the algae out of their water? I find that I am changing their water more than I should have to! I know the heat doesn't help the situation and whatever falls in their water expedites the growth of the algae as well. Also, for the sake of being informed, I have a plastic hanging waterer.
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I have both plastic and glass waterers (I don't use galvanized because you can't put vinegar in them... you'll kill the birds) I scrub them out with a dishwashing style sponge when I change the water. I have a 3 gallon waterer, so it only gets changed every few days. If you keep it out of the sunlight it slows algae growth. I haven't tried the ACV to prevent algae, that's interesting. If it's any consolation, once the weather cools off the algae reeeeallly slows down.
I use a galvanized metal waterer, which doesn't seem to grow algae. When I first got my chickens I used a plastic waterer but I got two of them and switched them daily so they had a day to dry out in the sun between uses which prevents algae, and will keep it more sanitary.
Judy
I just did some research on the Backyard Chicken forum and found out that putting a TBSP of Apple Cider Vinegar per gallon in their water prevents algae growth and is good for the chickens. Anyone else have luck with this?
We have been adding the ACV to our plasic waterer which we clean out daily and we've never had a problem with algae. It could be that the ACV is keeping it at bay. We also add a frozen water bottle to the container trying to keep the water a bit cooler in this heat. *Chris*
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Judy