Bleach in water???!!!

[hikerfrog99]

Maybe I don't know much about chickens but I heard today that someone puts a few drops of bleach in the waterer to keep the water clean and prevent worms? Is this really true?!!! If not I'm going to give this person a piece of my mind!

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Seems that some do it. See link. Human's drink chlorinated water so I don't see where it's much different.

I prefer to use vinegar myself.

http://disaster.ifas.ufl.edu/PDFS/CHAP06/D06-13.PDF

 

[hikerfrog99]

Does it really keep the worms away though? I use ACV but I am using it just to help them with stress. We just added a too so I figured they would be stressed

 

[donrae]

I can't imagine it would prevent worms, but you'll never be able to convenience the person who told you. I don't bleach my water and I've never had worms...they'll say they've always bleached their water and never had worms.......not necessarily cause and effect, is it?

I add bleach to water I store for emergencies, not much just enough to keep nasties from growing in it if it gets too warm. Not a problem to drink. Just not necessary for fresh water for birds. If you have a larger waterer it may keep algae growth down, lots of folks add it to livestock water tanks.

 

[Dee5385]

Just learning about worms....what causes worms in the chickens?

 

[hikerfrog99]

Good question Dee. I honestly don't know. I'm in the learning process too. I would like to know what you can use as a preventative.

 

[JaceAgain]

It shouldn't hurt. We have a water softener system and part of that is dumping a gallon of bleach in the water tank (to help with the sulfer smell maybe?) Anyway. I'm still here and we've been drinking it for awhile