Disinfecting feeders, waterers, etc

[pawtraitart]

If you use drinkers and feeders that don't allow your birds to poop in them, your cleaning chores will be minimal. I have bottle drinkers for my small enclosures and use buckets with horizontal nipples for my large pens. I rarely have to clean any of them. I have a similar strategy for my feeders.

 

[erinchelsea]

When my waterers start smelling funky I bring them in and wash them out in the bathtub. Just using a washcloth and hot water, sometimes a little baby soap. Using a splash of Apple Cider vinegar in the waterers keeps them fresh longer.

 

[Beekissed]

If you use drinkers and feeders that don't allow your birds to poop in them, your cleaning chores will be minimal. I have bottle drinkers for my small enclosures and use buckets with horizontal nipples for my large pens. I rarely have to clean any of them. I have a similar strategy for my feeders.

Yep! All waterers and feeders up on pedestals or feet to bring them up off the floor and at chest height.

 

[IttyBiddyRedHen]

I just hose mine out when they get gunky.....maybe do a bleach/water/scrub brush when they start growing the green stuff. But that is only occasionally. None have ever suffered any side effects for drinking out of scummy water. I think they prefer it "flavored".

 

[Elegant Chick]

What kind of feeder do you recommend for adult chickens? I've seen a Grandpa's Chicken Feeder. Are there other kinds I can get without the chickens pooping in them?

 

[aart]

What kind of feeder do you recommend for adult chickens? I've seen a Grandpa's Chicken Feeder. Are there other kinds I can get without the chickens pooping in them?

I like this one, I put a wire to hang it under the roost board so bottom of feeder is about chicken back height....no poop in it.

 

[Elegant Chick]

just read your reply. thank you! is it hanging too high for the birds to hop on top?

 

[aart]

just read your reply. thank you! is it hanging too high for the birds to hop on top?

The top of the feeder is about 8 inches from the bottom of the poop board, no they don't try to get on top of it that I've seen

 

[ChickenLegs13]

I have a fit when my wife scrubs the coffee pot or puts my coffee cup in the dishwasher and removes that lovely patina of brown scum so you can imagine what my feeders & waters look like.

 

[Chickens n Bees for me!]

If you're really worried, spray the items down with white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, let it sit a minute, then give it a rinse in the spigot. Vinegar and peroxide disinfect extremely well and are non-toxic so if you don't rinse it all, it doesn't matter!

Together white vinegar and Hydrogen peroxide work as well as BLEACH to kill bacterial according to a scientific study a few years back. But they need to be kept in *separate* spray bottles until being used. Then just spray one over the other (in any order) and you will kill 99% of known bacteria just like that.

I use this method to sanitize all kinds of critter feeders, waterers, & cages as well as my own kitchen & bathroom too! Cheap and non-toxic.