Gravity feeder for water- hot climate

[CabritaChicks]

Good afternoon, everyone!

Sorry to bug you all, but I’m on the hunt for a gravity-fed waterer that can withstand heat better than the usual plastic options. I recently tried ordering one that was advertised as marine-grade stainless steel, but when it arrived, it turned out to be zinc—definitely not safe for chickens. (Nothing like a mislabeled item to risk your flock’s health—ugh.)

Ideally, I’m looking for something truly made from stainless steel or another durable, non-toxic, heat-resistant material. Even a high-quality composite would be acceptable, as long as it's safe and doesn’t leach and can resist nastiness. I’m in a hot climate, and after just a 1 month, the typical green plastic waterer is already giving off a smell I can’t ignore—and I don’t want my birds drinking from something questionable.

If anyone has a link to a reputable brand or supplier—especially one willing to ship internationally (or I can receive shipments via a cargo boat company I will make it work)—I’d be incredibly grateful. My priority is keeping the FIDs healthy and hydrated with clean, safe water, and I’m willing to invest in something that lasts.

Thanks in advance for any leads or suggestions!

 

[FrostRanger]

No suggestions on brands or anything like that, but maybe look into a nipple watering system? You can use something that doesn't let light in to keep algae from growing or keep your waterers in the shade

 

[Al Gerhart]

Why avoid zinc? It has been the choice for hundreds of years, water buckets, well buckets, feeders and chicken waterers. As long as you don't fall for the ACV in the water madness it will do fine with plain water. Zinc is an essential element and the oxides found in zinc buckets are pretty much non bio-available anyway.

 

[CabritaChicks]

Why avoid zinc? It has been the choice for hundreds of years, water buckets, well buckets, feeders and chicken waterers. As long as you don't fall for the ACV in the water madness it will do fine with plain water. Zinc is an essential element and the oxides found in zinc buckets are pretty much non bio-available anyway.

Metal Zinc Toxicity: A Common and Overlooked Danger in Parrots and Chickens

I see this all the time in the clinic—birds presenting with vague symptoms like lethargy, fluffed feathers, pale or swollen combs (in chickens), or labored breathing. Many people assume it’s a respiratory infection, but in several of these cases, the actual culprit is metal toxicity, specifically zinc poisoning from contaminated or unsafe metal sources.

It’s important to understand that zinc from metal (like galvanized wire, hardware, waterers or old cage materials) is very different from the zinc birds need in their diet. While dietary zinc is an essential trace mineral involved in immune function, skin, and feather health, metallic zinc is highly toxic when ingested.

Both parrots and chickens are at risk. Parrots may chew on cage bars, toys, or metal clips. Chickens often peck at wire fencing, old roofing, or feeders—especially if they’re bored or foraging in inappropriate enclosures. Galvanized metal, in particular, is a hidden danger many owners don’t even realize their birds are exposed to.

Symptoms of zinc toxicity can mimic respiratory disease:

• Pale or bluish combs (in chickens)
• Weakness or unsteadiness
• Fluffed posture or puffed feathers
• Decreased appetite
• Regurgitation in parrots
• Drooping wings
• General lethargy
• Poor egg laying
• Seizures in advanced stages

The tricky part? It won’t show up on routine tests. To confirm or rule out heavy metal poisoning, we need to run a whole blood zinc level (and sometimes lead levels as well, since exposure often overlaps). Without this specific test, the diagnosis is easy to miss—and unfortunately, I’ve seen some birds treated for “pneumonia” or “parasites” for weeks while their condition worsens.

If your bird is acting off and you know there's been possible exposure to old wire, rusty cages, or mystery hardware—don't guess. Ask your vet to run a whole blood heavy metal panel, especially for zinc.

It’s heartbreaking when something so preventable causes such suffering. Always choose bird-safe materials like stainless steel, powder-coated metals, or items marketed specifically as avian-safe.

Now not everyone can afford hardware cloth made from stainless (I know I only did half my coop with it, but all of my aviary with it- of course for chickens the wire is of less concern as they don't climb on it- but a waterer that constantly leaches it it with every sip is incredibly dangerous.

I guess that is my public service announcement.

Edit: It is different for larger livestock. It is the avian persuasion that is the issue. I would say 1 out of 15 birds I see has zinc toxicity- even tho many just come in for surface wounds as it is discovered as it lowers their immune system.

The difference between the amount of zinc a bird needs and the amount that becomes toxic is very narrow. For example, a chicken or parrot only needs tiny dietary amounts of zinc (40–70 mg/kg feed, depending on species), but toxicity can occur with levels not far above that—especially with chronic exposure to zinc from metal.

Birds have a more sensitive renal system and fewer detoxifying enzyme systems than many mammals, which means they can’t process and excrete excess zinc as effectively. Zinc also interferes with calcium and iron metabolism, making deficiencies worse and symptoms more pronounced.

Okay, off my soapbox now. Oops.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Sorry, that is from someone selling blood tests for birds. They list off a batch of symptoms that half of the average flock might have at any given time.

Here is a non biased source that says different. https://onehappylemon.com/is-galvanized-steel-toxic/

 

[Al Gerhart]

The only health risk with galvanized materials is if you are welding it, subjecting the zinc to hundreds of degrees of heat and putting off fumes.
Even workers in galvanizing plants are safe unless they breathe the fumes on purpose.

Here is a study done on workers in a galvanizing plant. No long-term effect of metals exposure was detected on ventilatory functions or chest X rays among the exposed workers.

"Galvanization is the process of coating steel or cast iron pieces with zinc, allowing complete protection against corrosion. The ultimate goal of this work was to assess the effect of occupational exposure to zinc in the galvanization process on different metals in the human body and to detect the association between zinc exposure and its effect on the respiratory system. This study was conducted in 111 subjects in one of the major companies in the iron and steel industry. There were 61 subjects (workers) who were involved in the galvanization process. Fifty adult men were chosen as a matched reference group from other departments of the company. All workers were interviewed using a special questionnaire on occupational history and chest diseases. Ventilatory functions and chest X rays were assessed in all examined workers. Also, complete blood counts were performed, and serum zinc, iron, copper, calcium, and magnesium levels were tested. This study illustrated the relation between zinc exposure in the galvanization process and high zinc levels among exposed workers, which was associated with a high prevalence rate of metal fume fever (MFF) and low blood copper and calcium levels. There was no statistically significant difference between the exposed and control groups with regards to the magnesium level. No long-term effect of metals exposure was detected on ventilatory functions or chest X rays among the exposed workers."
https://www.researchgate.net/public...zation_Workers_in_the_Iron_and_Steel_Industry

There is no danger from using zinc coated/galvanized steel products in your chicken coop. Lots of charlatans out there scamming money from worried pet owners though. Of all the things that might harm a chicken this one is way, way, down the list.

 

[CabritaChicks]

The only health risk with galvanized materials is if you are welding it, subjecting the zinc to hundreds of degrees of heat and putting off fumes.
Even workers in galvanizing plants are safe unless they breathe the fumes on purpose.

Here is a study done on workers in a galvanizing plant. No long-term effect of metals exposure was detected on ventilatory functions or chest X rays among the exposed workers.

"Galvanization is the process of coating steel or cast iron pieces with zinc, allowing complete protection against corrosion. The ultimate goal of this work was to assess the effect of occupational exposure to zinc in the galvanization process on different metals in the human body and to detect the association between zinc exposure and its effect on the respiratory system. This study was conducted in 111 subjects in one of the major companies in the iron and steel industry. There were 61 subjects (workers) who were involved in the galvanization process. Fifty adult men were chosen as a matched reference group from other departments of the company. All workers were interviewed using a special questionnaire on occupational history and chest diseases. Ventilatory functions and chest X rays were assessed in all examined workers. Also, complete blood counts were performed, and serum zinc, iron, copper, calcium, and magnesium levels were tested. This study illustrated the relation between zinc exposure in the galvanization process and high zinc levels among exposed workers, which was associated with a high prevalence rate of metal fume fever (MFF) and low blood copper and calcium levels. There was no statistically significant difference between the exposed and control groups with regards to the magnesium level. No long-term effect of metals exposure was detected on ventilatory functions or chest X rays among the exposed workers."
https://www.researchgate.net/public...zation_Workers_in_the_Iron_and_Steel_Industry

There is no danger from using zinc coated/galvanized steel products in your chicken coop. Lots of charlatans out there scamming money from worried pet owners though. Of all the things that might harm a chicken this one is way, way, down the list.

That is me- I wrote that for you this AM. I am a Doctor- Avian Veterinary medicine. So you can have your opinion. Study to get your pHD, and years in clinic. But there is no use arguing. Im out of this conversation.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Thank you for belonging to the forum and giving advice. However, I don't have an opinion on this matter but rely upon the studies published on the matter by people a lot smarter than me, pHDs in this case I believe.

I am open to them being proven wrong and would be grateful for being educated.

 

[CabritaChicks]

I want to stress, I worked for my credentials- 8 years schooling, and 12 in the field. I run a non-profit (a foundation) which means I dont sell anything- I help birds across the world at mostly my own expense, now I have only 107 ongoing special needs patients, and I see 5 birds a week (average). (Donations only go to my research studies with my team- who actually make income- I don't receive a dime, not one cent)- which is why I have lived in so many countries.

-Which I think what got my blood pressure high.

So I dont 'sell' bloodwork. But I know you sell feeders. I just dont agree with them for water- especially high heat- and in my case- salt environments (I live on the sea).

If you want some very light reading, I can think of three studies- chicken specific, parrots are more susceptible by a long run:

1. Effects of Increasing Zinc Supplementation in Drinking Water on Growth and Thyroid Function in Broiler Chicks

• Summary: This study examined the effects of adding zinc sulfate to the drinking water of broiler chicks at concentrations of 0, 125, 500, and 1000 mg Zn/L over 60 days. Chicks receiving higher concentrations (500 and 1000 mg Zn/L) exhibited reduced body weight gain, decreased feed efficiency, and impaired thyroid function, indicating signs of zinc toxicity.
• Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12448974/

2. Toxicological Effect of Zinc on Liver of Broiler Chicks

• Summary: This research assessed the impact of varying doses of zinc (300, 600, and 900 mg/kg body weight) administered over 21 days on the liver of broiler chicks. The study found dose-dependent liver damage, including necrosis, hypertrophy, bile duct proliferation, and inflammation, confirming zinc's hepatotoxic effects at elevated levels.
• Link: https://eglj.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s43066-020-00028-w

3. Toxic Effects of High Concentrations of Zinc Oxide in the Diet of the Chick and Laying Hen

• Summary: This study investigated the effects of high dietary concentrations of zinc oxide (2000 to 6000 mg/kg) on chicks and laying hens. Findings included poor growth, gizzard erosion, pancreatic lesions, and, at the highest dose, dissecting aneurysms, highlighting the toxic potential of excessive zinc intake through feed.
• Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6616303/

These studies underscore the importance of monitoring zinc levels in poultry environments, particularly in drinking water, to prevent toxicity and ensure optimal health and productivity in chickens.\

Some will say 'those are very high amounts'... well consider what it is to be exposed to a toxin- not mammalian (human, dog, cattle, horse) day after day (even in smaller amounts- can your body cant excrete it). You get lethargic, immune compromised.

Parrots are far worse- they can only have much lower levels but unfortunately are treated similar to chickens. That is why I spared no expense to create a environment which my parrots can thrive- but I also utilize many of the practices for chickens.

If you would like more studies- I can bring up my old workbooks (might take me a second as they are burried with old my textbooks from university and certification courses, haha)
.

 

[CabritaChicks]

I will add: love your feeders. Really considering something like that for my coop after we are done with the 5th (or is it 7th) renovation?. Slippery slope!