Galvanised Steel Waterer rusting

[Portalguy]

Folks,

Picked up a galvanised steel waterer at the 'might-still-be-good' shed at our local dump in Middlebury. My wife opened it and saw that is was a bit rusty on the inside.

We're thinking that whoever threw it away, may have known something that we didn't. Thoughts?

Cheers
Rob in Vermont

P.S. Things have gotten worse, economically, did anyone notice, or did the rosy predictions of the Washington economists keep everybody on the crack pipe? Our chicken budget went through the roof, did you read my post about welded-wire fencing doubling in price between when I ordered it, and when the order arrived?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=199874

The quality of the China-steel and the China-welds was so poor, that the welds would pop whenever I tried to tension the fence. So I left it loose. For future projects I have been picking up small sections of rusty used fencing; even when they are small pieces joined together, the quality is better that what's left on the market.

 

[Boondachs]

If I'm correct, galvanizing is just a coating of zinc?? Once this is worn through, the steel is exposed and will rust.

 

[Portalguy]

Sorry, I wasn't specific. I meant, would it be potentially harmful to the chickens?

I'm thinking specifically of bits of zinc or other galvanising material coming off in the water; I am not too worried about rust.

We have no money... so would like to reuse if possible.

TIA !

 

[lalaland]

nah, it won't hurt. I've used older metal waterers and feeders for about 8 years, haven't seen any problems. These were rusty around the basin area, picked them up at a farm auction. The older ones are much heavier than the cheaper new ones.....

I did see a post some time back on BYC where someone said rust would hurt them, but my personal experience doesn't back that up.

 

[Boondachs]

yeah I have to agree with lala, if a little rust would kill a chicken, then our forefathers would have never made it! lol

 

[Portalguy]

Thanks! Just thought I'd run this by you.

I guess I worry less about the zinc flakes than on what might be in one of the new Made-in-China waterers which is all you can get now.

Prolly a nugget o' lead, or some leftover mercury...

 

[Kung Foo Chicken]

Maybe wire brush the rusted areas a little put a little vaseline over that every now and then like joint lines run in fish ponds, aquariums. Shouldn't be harmful.

Yes, I know what you are saying about the welded wire. The very old wire around the garden is so tough you can barely bend it while the new wire can be bent very easily and even sections pulled out. I had a problem with a predator recently that pulled a hole in cheap welded wire.

 

[NotTheMomma]

I have an older (think greater than 18 yrs old!) galvanised waterer as well.

It's also a recycle item. Mine is rusty inside and it doesn't affect how it works, nor does it appear to bother the hens. I figure their getting a bit of extra iron is all. BUT, mine does have a pin hole size hole in it now that allows leaking. My remedy is to try some mighty putty on the OUTSIDE so it won't be in the chicken's water and see how that goes. Problem is I keep forgetting to put that mighty putty on there!

 

[Portalguy]

Oh, I had a galvanised steel bucket, made from pure Obtainium.

It had a pinhole, which means somebody threw it out... I put a small nut & bolt in there. It shortly rusted to the bucket and the leak stopped.

Hope this helps (HTH)