Is rainwater safe to give chickens and ducks? - Page 2

What, no lemon twists?  How barbaric!

I heard this works great, just remember to leave enough water in it to keep the fish alive.

We have been researching the hell out of rain water collection and have just purchased our barrels to start. What we have found out that rain water collected from asphalt, galvanized metal or treated shakes is not really safe for watering food grade plants or animals unless filtered. Rainwater can be filtered by using an inexpensive slow sand filter system which reduces the contaminants put into the water by the above roofing types (some people will even drink it after filtered). There is a ton of info on the web and some sites have the testing info posted. To be safe from the petrochemicals from asphalt, zinc and chromium from galvanized steel, and arsenic from treated shakes, not to mention fecal content from birds and other critters that poop on roofs. I'd filter it just to be safe. Here is the best link I've found to date...www.slowsandfilter.org/

Not really a simple answer.  On the one hand you have radioactive dust from the Japanese nuclear plant and the deposits from chemical shingles and air born smog in the rain water.  On the other hand, you have toxic fluorides, pesticides, and detectable dosages of pharmaceutical drugs in your tap water. 

It boils down to which you trust more.  Personally I have a royal berkey filter that I filter all my water through.  My decision was that I don't trust rain water or the water from my tap.  Both are currently unfit to drink in my opinion. 

Just my 2 cents

Riki 

Thanks. I checked out the site and read a bunch of the reviews. Think ill look into buying 4 of their filters and modify a rain barrel to be a filter. The flow is much higher than the slow sand filter and i can get the volume I'm looking for.

Mine comes off a new plolycarbonate panel roof into a 15 gal food grade barrel and then to the nipples for the chickens.  I have only used it for a month or so and before we have forcasted rain I drain some of the tank out so there is room for the "fresh" rain water.  The chickens seem to like it although we free-range them each day for 4-6 hours so they may find other water sources in the backyard.  I do also add a little ACV to the water and have poured several big glasses of water to check its clarity and it looks and smells fine but I think we all know what that is worth....lol     I agree with Riki, hard to know whick is "better" but considering your dealing with an animal that nibbles at its own poop and will drink out of the nastiest of mud puddles I feel pretty good about the water they have access to in my system.  Best of Luck in what ever you decide.........

I water mine from the well. Since the Japanese continue to spray seawater on the melted containment wreckage, and the steam continues to hitch a ride in the jet stream over to here, I'll take my chances with water that's been filtered through sand and gravel.

They've been talking about a "mysterious disease" affecting the seals and Polar bears. Hair falling out in clumps, and sores on the animals. Sure sounds like radiation poisoning to me....

I no longer go out in the rain.

Quote:

Originally Posted by judyc 

I water mine from the well. Since the Japanese continue to spray seawater on the melted containment wreckage, and the steam continues to hitch a ride in the jet stream over to here, I'll take my chances with water that's been filtered through sand and gravel.

 

They've been talking about a "mysterious disease" affecting the seals and Polar bears. Hair falling out in clumps, and sores on the animals. Sure sounds like radiation poisoning to me....

 

I no longer go out in the rain.

Same here.  I don't trust em.  The Japanese just had a mis Fukushima contest.  The idea being to find the prettiest woman who eats exclusively food from the radioactive province.  Tell me thats not evil.