Biofilm in larger waterer

[DraftXJumper]

Hello! I have a large (2 gallon) gravity-style waterer with a little cup on the bottom that fills as the bird drinks. We only have six pullets, and I noticed they don't get through much water before the waterer gets slimy. Is the waterer too big for only a few birds? Or do I just need to clean it more often? For those of you who read this, how often do you clean your waterers? TIA!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I clean mine when they need it. It will take 6 pullets a long time to drink 2 gallons. Is your waterer see through? Keeping it in the shade or indoors can help, but most water containers need cleaning every 1-2 weeks.

 

[blackdog043]

I have a 5 gallon waterer, with horizontal nipples inside my coop for 8 hens, it doesn't get slimy in there. The water will last 2 weeks, if I don't add any.
Do you have it outside, where the sun hits it?

 

[DraftXJumper]

I have a 5 gallon waterer, with horizontal nipples inside my coop for 8 hens, it doesn't get slimy in there. The water will last 2 weeks, if I don't add any.
Do you have it outside, where the sun hits it?
View attachment 1085687

No, it's inside the coop. However, I do have water in the run as well, so I'm wondering if the girls just aren't draining the big waterer fast enough. I'll just have to take it down and clean it more often.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I have a 2 gallon galvanized waterer, , for 5 hens, inside the coop, and one or two waterers outside.
I clean it once a week with clean water and a dedicated toilet brush, , with an appendage to clean the trough. GC