Another Algae Post

[Lil Chickie Mama]

I have a few different waterers for my chickens and I am getting varied amounts of algae in each. I have a few "rabbit" style waterers that the chickens can peck and get water which they seem to love. I also have a 1 gallon waterer that I've used since they were chicks and a homemade 5 gallon bucket waterer. I have read the numerous posts about using ACV so I am going to try that tomorrow morning, but what about copper? Copper naturally kills algae (I think it takes the oxygen out of the water, kills invertebrates too but that's another topic) but would it harm the chickens? Pennies have very little copper anymore, but I was thinking about getting some copper tubing/pipe from the hardware store and plopping it into the waterer where they can't even see it. Anyone have experience? Could the copper hurt the chickens? It would just save me running to the store to buy more ACV every few months, just an idea.

 

[briana1975]

I have no idea about the copper. I use ACV and no algae but there are also health benifits to the chickens by using the ASV.

 

[gumpsgirl]

I wouldn't use the copper, as it is a mineral and to much of a good thing can be a bad thing.

I do, however, use the ACV with the mother in it (the mother is the beneficial minerals) at a rate of 1 Tbsp. per gallon of water. You can get the ACV at any health food store. I generally use the Bragg's.

 

[vnploveschickens]

Don't forget that the waterers need to be plastic, not metal, if you use organic ACV.

I use ACV with mine, and no algae problems.

 

[luvmuhchicks]

will it hurt anything to put ACV in metal waterers?

 

[Zoomom]

On the same note,
Would it hurt to put ACV in glass water bottles with a metal sipper tube?
thanks