Giving softened hard water

[toischebonne]

Odd question about water. I'm planning on getting some chicks in the spring. We have very hard well water, but have a water softener because of it. We don't drink the water because of the salt, so what the heck would I give the chickens?

 

[SilkieNation]

Odd question about water. I'm planning on getting some chicks in the spring. We have very hard well water, but have a water softener because of it. We don't drink the water because of the salt, so what the heck would I give the chickens?

I am pretty sure the salt doesn't end up in your drinking water. I have a system for my well and the guys who periodically service it always tell me that this is a misconception. It would make no sense for water purification/softener systems to contaminate your house water with salt, or anything else for that matter. Does your water taste like salt??

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The salt is used to flush the resin bed in a water softener, it doesn't add any salt to your drinking water.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! The chickens won't care, so do what's easiest for you. Mary

 

[MeepBeep]

Softeners remove magnesium and calcium ions and replace them with sodium ions, so yes your softened water has slightly more sodium in it but it's generally still a very low amount... This extra sodium is only a concern if you are a very severely sodium restricted diet as the amount is low...

In most houses when a softener is installed the outdoor watering spigots are generally plumbed to bypass the softener as lawns and gardens don't need soft water, but not always... If you are concerned a plumber could install a bypass spigot for you...