Cement water hole?

[Poliwag]

I have decided to make a drinking water trough out of cement. Gonna dig a hole and cover the bottom and edges with cement.

My question is, is cement poisoness? I mean, when it is hard and dry, will it be alright for them to use it? I asked the local hardware store and they all think it will be fine but I just want to make sure. Don't want to kill my chooks

 

[Indiana hens]

Concrete would last longer. Concrete has been used for cattle troughs for many years.

 

[Poliwag]

I thought it was the same thing o.o

 

[Chickenfortress]

It'll work fine. Put some wire in it to reinforce the walls and base. Paint it to keep it easy to clean. My boy says put some minnows in to cut down on the algae. I think the minnows would make great chicken entertainment devices.

 

[patandchickens]

As far as your actual question, no, the first (some number of) water changes will be rather alkaline (give concrete good curing time, then fill, let stand for hours or overnight, drain, and repeat some number of times) but once reasonably rinsed it will be totally nonpoisonous.

However I have to seriously question the wisdom of making a concrete trough for chickens; you can't properly clean it without considerable difficulty and aggravation (as compared to a plastic or metal trough which is easy peasy) and it is simply *unnecessary*. For cattle, durability is an issue, but chickens are not *nearly* as hard on their equipment as cattle are

, however they *are* filthier.

At the very least put a drain, with or without standpipe, in it. Yes, this introduces an additional complexity and site where it can potentially leak; but it makes cleaning a little more feasible. And finish the concrete as smooth as you possibly can.

Good luck, have fun, though frankly I would not do it myself,

Pat

 

[mener6896]

I don't have a comment on the waterer, just on the difference between cement and concrete. As the daughter of a concrete company owner, cement is an ingredient in concrete. It's like calling a cake, flour. It takes cement, sand, gravel, and water to make concrete. Cement is actually crushed limestone, and not as durable as concrete.

just in case you really wanted to know

 

[Whirlwind]

Just wanted to say Poliwag I love your avitar!!!!!

 

[Poliwag]

Quote:
Haha, I doubt the minnows would last long xD

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To patandchickens,

I know it will be a pain to clean but that's my problem

It is mostly for my duck to swim in.

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To mener6896,

I didn't know that, thank you

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To Whirlwind,

Thank you. Aren't they adorable?

 

[Renee']

I am still trying to figure out the purpose of this concrete waterer, seems like an expensive waterer that would be a royal pain to clean; however that wasn't your question so here are some answers/suggestions....

from: http://www.pond-creation.com/building-concrete-ponds.html

Concrete consists of many toxic chemicals and lime which can make the pond water unsafe for your fish. To prevent this you can either……

Fill the pond with water and leave it to draw all the chemicals out and then empty and refill. Do this a 2 or 3 time to ensure that all the toxic chemicals are gone or…..

Use pond sealant paint, this will seal the concrete and keep all the chemicals in. I personally would do both.

To be sure your pond is safe use a pH test kit to test your water. This way you will be sure it is safe before you stock any fish.

It also says that concrete has a tendancy to get hairline fractures that are impossible to see with the naked eye, which will obviously leak.

Good luck!

 

[harrisville chicken]

Quote:
Entertained right up until they're eaten!