But I Don't WANT a Plastic Waterer!

[MamaSteph]

Just logged on to check dosage of ACV for my 6 month old girls and was very disappointed to read that I can't give it to them in a metal waterer. That's all I have and I don't want a plastic waterer due to concerns about BPA and other chemicals from the plastic leaching into the water.

Anyone have any suggestions on how to get the acv into them without switching to a plastic waterer? FWIW, they are in a wooden tractor until we get their coop built, so we can't do automatic waterers or anything else too big or fancy.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Start shopping for antique glass poultry waterers but be ready to shell out $$$$$$$

 

[Garin]

I'm bummed about the putting ACV in metal containers too. I should have know though b/c I make pickles every year and have to use stainless steel. I just got rid of both my plastic waters b/c the rubber seals did not work correctly.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

You don't have that many birds in your flock, why not use a ceramic or glass casserole dish? Something not too deep or wide, but proportioned well so they can't tip it over if they step on the rim. There are even big heavy ceramic dog dishes you could use. It might work better if it's set up on bricks or a cinder block. Look around in your cupboards, or browse your thrift stores, or ask on your FreeCycle board.

I use a 5-quart plastic feed dish in some pens for both water and food and they don't get tipped over. The feed stores also carry rubber pans, don't know if you have issues with those, they are supposed to be really durable but they're more expensive than plastic.

 

[phoenixmama]

What Sunny Side Up said...

Look for a big ceramic dog dish, or a deep casserole dish. That's what I have to do for my goofy turkeys.

Of course, they like to stand in it. But they manage to knock over every other waterer.

 

[Akane]

In some ways I can understand wanting to avoid plastic waterers however every bucket and water container normally sold for livestock is some type of plastic with few exceptions. Metal chicken feeders and waterers are the only common metal items I've seen lately so personally I don't think the risk is worth the effort to try to avoid all plastic when so many use plastic for so many livestock without issues. Metal also has it's own risks with rust and so forth. They can be just as much of a health hazard if not properly cared for.

I don't know what all materials you want to avoid but many use those black rubber feeders for water in the winter. That way they can just pop the ice out and refill every day. It would get dirty faster than a normal waterer but so will pretty much every other option listed so far. You can occasionally find larger buckets made out of the same material. I also have a low sided 60gallon stock tank near the coop for mine. I put a stack of bricks on the outside and inside so they have something to stand on and in case they fall in. The sides are less than 2' deep. I dump acv in that to help keep it clean since I only completely empty it every few months. You might want to walk around your feedstore and see if there is anything else that would work for your situation.

 

[MamaSteph]

A ceramic dog bowl is a fantastic idea - thank you Sunny_Side_Up and phoenixmama!

Quote:
If I put my faith in modern farming practices, I wouldn't be raising my own animals or growing my own garden. I know that, for some, these are enjoyable hobbies. For us, it is how we ensure that our food is raised the way we would like it to be and to decrease the amount of toxins we are exposed to. If you disagree or think this is "hippy-dippy" or a fad, you are extremely blessed to not have been affected by chronic health conditions caused by things that "must be safe or they wouldn't make them."

Also, animals were cared for by humans for thousands of years before plastic was invented and they all got watered. I'm sure we'll be able to find a suitable solution.