Copper Pipe in Water

[FoxAndFawnFarms]

Hi, I was looking into putting copper pipes in my chickens waterer but am seeing mixed results. Can you tell me if it would harm or help my chickens please.

 

[nuthatched]

The best way to prevent algae is to keep the waterer out of the light.
The copper can help but there's often other residues on copper pipe.

 

[Dragonfly5707]

Hi, I was looking into putting copper pipes in my chickens waterer but am seeing mixed results. Can you tell me if it would harm or help my chickens please.

I have been using some copper in my waterer for a couple months now with no problems .... And NO ALGAE!!!

 

[2 Acres]

Hi, I was looking into putting copper pipes in my chickens waterer but am seeing mixed results. Can you tell me if it would harm or help my chickens please.

If the copper pipe is soldered with lead, the lead will leech out into the water. Lead is toxic to humans and livestock. Ask the citizens of Flint Michigan about it.

They are FINALLY getting the Flint debacle taken care of.

Depending on where you live, and what temp swings you experience, can determine the pipe you use. Especially PVC. PVC is glued together and typically what is used in a basement or crawl space

Then you also have PEX pipe which is very flexible. Red for hot water, and blue for cold water. PEX pipe uses special fittings that "crimp" the fittings together. Probably the easiest to install and use with a special tool.

PEX lines are also more flexible.

 

[2 Acres]

If the copper pipe is soldered with lead, the lead will leech out into the water. Lead is toxic to humans and livestock. Ask the citizens of Flint Michigan about it.

They are FINALLY getting the Flint debacle taken care of.

Depending on where you live, and what temp swings you experience, can determine the pipe you use. Especially PVC. PVC is glued together and typically what is used in a basement or crawl space

Then you also have PEX pipe which is very flexible. Red for hot water, and blue for cold water. PEX pipe uses special fittings that "crimp" the fittings together. Probably the easiest to install and use with a special tool.

PEX lines are also more flexible.

Caveat... any water lines exposed to extreme cold temps will freeze and burst. Heat tape will help prevent that.

 

[2 Acres]

Caveat... any water lines exposed to extreme cold temps will freeze and burst. Heat tape will help prevent that.

Also... If doing copper, there is a lead free solder... which is non-toxic.Copper pipe is the most labor intensive of all methods above.

 

[FoxAndFawnFarms]

Thanks everyone, I will take that into consideration. (Right now I'm just experimenting!)