copper Penneys in waterer OK?

[Roxannemc]

Just heard on tv that copper doesn't let germs grow on it so they are changing rails in hospital to copper.
That said anyone know if copper will hurt chickens?

My waterer get so bad looking in one day after I just cleaned them .Thought copper pennys in the water might help them to keep more mold free but dont want to kill the chicks

I have a lot of waterers in my yard as most of my chickens run free some have tiny ones so cant have just one or 2 around but it takes me almost an hour to clean them all and refill.
Would help

 

[Habibs Hens]

we use copper pipes in UK as standard

my waterer for my chickens is also copper pipes

i have never seen any issues with it ever

just make sure the header tank is plastic so you can use ACV

 

[Roxannemc]

we use copper pipes in UK as standard

my waterer for my chickens is also copper pipes

i have never seen any issues with it ever

just make sure the header tank is plastic so you can use ACV

Thanks I did forget about the ACV! HUmm Does it seem to keep the scum away?
And why are we so behind you here in USA in the copper pipe idea?
Hate to see our pipes inside when you think of it Might never use water again. LOL Here its plastic, metal but copper for hot water.

 

[Habibs Hens]

Thanks I did forget about the ACV! HUmm Does it seem to keep the scum away?
And why are we so behind you here in USA in the copper pipe idea?
Hate to see our pipes inside when you think of it Might never use water again. LOL Here its plastic, metal but copper for hot water.

never had scum issues and copper is the standard medium in UK for pipe work

heating, water, cold and hot, and its never had issues through out

scum usually builds up when the water is sitting still or being re looped like in the central heating we use

so we empty out every year and refill and power flush every 5 years

keeps the pipes clean

but never do the copper pipes corrode away or leave any residue behind when water is traveling through it

 

[Den in Penn]

US pennies contain zinc. I would use a piece of copper pipe if you can. Even with that I would not have the copper in the same time I put in ACV. The acid in the AVC works against algae and would corrode the copper.

 

[gilmoujr]

Pennies prior to 1982 are 95% copper while the ones 1982 and newer (well, mid year 1982 - but just disregard 1982 to play it safe) contain mostly zinc (some even call them Zincoln pennies). Even better than copper (and less risk) is if you use SILVER. It is expensive but it is used for medical purposes due to its healing/anti-bacterial properties.

 

[Kadoka83]

Just heard on tv that copper doesn't let germs grow on it so they are changing rails in hospital to copper.
That said anyone know if copper will hurt chickens?

My waterer get so bad looking in one day after I just cleaned them .Thought copper pennys in the water might help them to keep more mold free but dont want to kill the chicks

I have a lot of waterers in my yard as most of my chickens run free some have tiny ones so cant have just one or 2 around but it takes me almost an hour to clean them all and refill.
Would help

I wouldn’t use pennies. Unless they are old ones (pre 1970’s I think???) newer pennies have more nickel in them than copper if I recall. Some such thing like that. It would be better to use a piece of copper piping but I have read that to much can be harmful.
I am still researching this myself so if I find anything further I’ll try to remember to come back here and update what I find.

 

[Kadoka83]

I wouldn’t use pennies. Unless they are old ones (pre 1970’s I think???) newer pennies have more nickel in them than copper if I recall. Some such thing like that. It would be better to use a piece of copper piping but I have read that to much can be harmful.
I am still researching this myself so if I find anything further I’ll try to remember to come back here and update what I find.

See already found an update. As some of the other comments mentioned. It’s pre 1982 and it’s zinc not nickel. Still looking for more info but it looks like pennies (with the stated requirements) would work