Galvanized drinkers rusted out!

[LamarshFish]

I bought some nice galvanized metal drinkers. Both of them started to rust, leaving the water stained with orange. I am fairly certain it is from the fact that I treat all my birds' water with apple cider vinegar, which is acidic, but I'm not totally sure.

Has anybody had this problem?

I am switching to plastic drinkers, but I am curious if anybody has any ideas how I could salvage these rusted galvanized metal ones. Seems any water that goes in them just keeps the rust going.

 

[FlyingNunFarm]

It’s the vinegar that did them in. Not sure if you can clean them up to use with plain water or if they are too far gone.
There could be a food safe product you could coat them with but unsure of that too.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I bought some nice galvanized metal drinkers. Both of them started to rust, leaving the water stained with orange. I am fairly certain it is from the fact that I treat all my birds' water with apple cider vinegar, which is acidic, but I'm not totally sure.

Has anybody had this problem?

I am switching to plastic drinkers, but I am curious if anybody has any ideas how I could salvage these rusted galvanized metal ones. Seems any water that goes in them just keeps the rust going.

You can be sure you are correct.

You might be able to use a rust converting spray paint to salvage the old ones?? Not sure how bird friendly it would be... but it should be water proof.

If you're gonna acidify your water you have to use NON metal... either plastic or glass.

 

[LamarshFish]

If you're gonna acidify your water you have to use NON metal... either plastic or glass.

Haha yup, learned that one the hard way with basically the cost of two nice galvanized metal drinkers.... and they're not cheap!

Pretty sure they are just garbage now. Not worth the time or risk to birds trying to treat them.

 

[lingon]

There is a rust preventative/proofing spray for car underbodies made out of lanolin. It stinks, but seems to work pretty well. I'm not sure what the other ingredients are, but it would be likely that lanolin would be safe for chicks since it's safe for human babies. Maybe try coating with pure lanolin? Available at baby stores for nursing moms.

 

[lotsofloveforchickens]

I have had rust problems on mine also but I have never used apple cider vinegar in mine. I spent to much on them to rust so soon.

 

[LamarshFish]

I have had rust problems on mine also but I have never used apple cider vinegar in mine. I spent to much on them to rust so soon.

Interesting. Yeah I'm done using them, sticking with high quality plastic ones from now on. I had originally purchased the metal ones because I thought they'd work better in the winter sitting on top of warming plates, but I think the plastic ones will be fine for that also.

 

[biophiliac]

I use one of these for a week or so, then recycle it and make a new one. I change the water daily and it stays pretty clean since i quit using wood shavings in the loft. In winter I gave fresh water 2x per day. Cost=zero.

 

[Hokum Coco]

any ideas how I could salvage these rusted galvanized metal ones.

I would try giving the waterers a light sanding and painting them.

As far as a plastic water goes here is a DIY project that works for me. I made the drain hole near the cover of the bottle which makes filling the bottles that much easier.
The funneled shape of the bottle also give more room at the bottom of the second container for the pigeons to insert their heads into the opening.

 

[LamarshFish]

I would try giving the waterers a light sanding and painting them.

As far as a plastic water goes here is a DIY project that works for me. I made the drain hole near the cover of the bottle which makes filling the bottles that much easier.
The funneled shape of the bottle also give more room at the bottom of the second container for the pigeons to insert their heads into the opening.

You have any ideas for types of paint or coatings that wouldn't be harmful to birds if I use the rehabilitated drinkers after sanding and coating?