Have you ever done this?

[Ninjasquirrel]

My chickens drink from our creek, and ducks, even when it rains.

Thats running water though, not standing water. Standing water can contain parasites. You can still get giardia though from running water. My motto is: if I wont drink it, I wont have my pets drink it

 

[Duck_life]

We have filtered well water so no city water. The fact of the matter is that water that is not filtered can contain a multitude of parasitic organisms. Our rain barrel has algae, dirt and silt in the bottom of it and I would not recommend that anyone drink it without filtering and boiling it first. It is used exclusively for watering our garden and nothing else.

Edit: also on this topic water from the toilet is fresh, running water. The dog has no knowledge that the bowl is considered dirty. The dog only cares that the water is fresh and cold.

I also have well water, city water is gross, but my ducks do drink from rain water sometimes.

 

[jvls1942]

Now you have added more info about your rain barrel. that you had not mentioned before.
so, the water in the toilet is potable ?
Sorry, I wouldn't stick my hand into it by choice, much less drink it.

 

[Uff Da]

So, what are you supposed to do with free ranging chickens? Spend your days chasing them off from every water source that didn't come from a faucet? This kind of veers off into left field for me. Animals DO drink from natural water sources, it IS normal, and they stay healthy in spite of it. Let's remember that chickens are domesticated wildlife -- jungle fowl aren't watered from a filtered water source. If it's parasites you worry about, water is less of an issue than dirt and other animals.

If providing filtered water works well for your set up, great. But let's not imply that people who let their chickens or pets drink from a natural water source are doing it wrong, or worse, being irresponsible.

 

[jvls1942]

So, what are you supposed to do with free ranging chickens? Spend your days chasing them off from every water source that didn't come from a faucet? This kind of veers off into left field for me. Animals DO drink from natural water sources, it IS normal, and they stay healthy in spite of it. Let's remember that chickens are domesticated wildlife -- jungle fowl aren't watered from a filtered water source. If it's parasites you worry about, water is less of an issue than dirt and other animals.

If providing filtered water works well for your set up, great. But let's not imply that people who let their chickens or pets drink from a natural water source are doing it wrong, or worse, being irresponsible.

X2

 

[townchicks]

Animals DO drink from natural water sources, it IS normal, and they stay healthy in spite of it

Not always. I worked for a vet for 15 years, and we treated many dogs and also cats, for giardiasis, coccicidiosis, and general stomach upsets from eating or drinking from unclean sources. Yes, dogs drink from the toilet, and their systems do handle bacteria better than ours do.They also get sick from bacteria. They are also dying from Bluegreen algae blooms in lakes. So do wild animals, BTW.

 

[Uff Da]

Not always. I worked for a vet for 15 years, and we treated many dogs and also cats, for giardiasis, coccicidiosis, and general stomach upsets from eating or drinking from unclean sources. Yes, dogs drink from the toilet, and their systems do handle bacteria better than ours do.They also get sick from bacteria. They are also dying from Bluegreen algae blooms in lakes. So do wild animals, BTW.

But those things aren't typical. Chickens are far more likely to get coccidiosis from dirt, not water. Animals can become ill from giardia, but most don't.

I got giardiasis from working at a daycare! That doesn't make daycares dangerous. Again, if filtered water makes you feel better about keeping chickens, great. But telling me not to let my chickens drink rainwater makes as much sense as telling people not to work at daycares.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

But telling me not to let my chickens drink rainwater makes as much sense as telling people not to work at daycares.

I do what I believe to be best for my hens. I take advice from those who are knowledgeable. I am not telling you anything. I am not against anything you are doing. I'm not sure where you are getting that from so I am sorry I offended you. I was correcting someone I know who does not have chickens and is unaware of how to raise them.
This snowballed rather quickly. I think this shows better than anything the dangers of telling people they dont know and should seek knowledge.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

Now you have added more info about your rain barrel. that you had not mentioned before.
so, the water in the toilet is potable ?
Sorry, I wouldn't stick my hand into it by choice, much less drink it.

I'm not a dog and would not drink it. Dogs eat their own feces as well and you would not catch me doing that. But the water in your toilet tank is usually filtered water. When you flush it goes into the bowl. So yes...it is potable.

 

[Ninjasquirrel]

So, what are you supposed to do with free ranging chickens? Spend your days chasing them off from every water source that didn't come from a faucet? This kind of veers off into left field for me. Animals DO drink from natural water sources, it IS normal, and they stay healthy in spite of it. Let's remember that chickens are domesticated wildlife -- jungle fowl aren't watered from a filtered water source. If it's parasites you worry about, water is less of an issue than dirt and other animals.

If providing filtered water works well for your set up, great. But let's not imply that people who let their chickens or pets drink from a natural water source are doing it wrong, or worse, being irresponsible.

I actually provide them with water sources while they free range. Although they are not against drinking from a puddle or two. I try to avoid it as much as possible. I have had them for 2 years and do fecals often. No parasites ever. That is just my experience though. Not saying anyone has to.