How to prevent water from turning yellow

[Morrigan]

not all algae are created equal though.

I think this is true. I am on well water and in a very sunny location. Algae grows like crazy in my waterers -- so much so that it became an exercise in futility in trying to eliminate it. I found I could reduce algae growth substantially, by using a galvanized waterer placed inside the coop or in a very, highly shaded overhang area.

However, the algae free water smelled awful after just one day. The waterers with green algae in them smelled fresh and clean, even after a few days and the chickens preferred drinking out of them. I do make sure the tray part is kept clean and free from dirt/droppings and rinse out the entire container ever time I fill them. After over 8 years of algae in the water and healthy chickens, I've stopped worrying about it.

If you are bothered by algae, or think that the type of algae that grows where you live might be harmful, a fairly easy way to keep clean water is to buy a rubber or plastic water bowl, that can be cleaned and refreshed daily. I use bowls in the summer when I am putting out extra watering stations. Because they are so much easier to scrub out then conventional waterers, it's pretty easy to keep the algae out. However they do get more dirt/leaves/etc kicked into them, so there is more dumping and refilling involved.

 

[raingarden]

I don’t have issues with slime but I am on a well with High iron content. Water left sitting exposed to oxygen will oxidize and turn yellow to orange-ish.
My DH made a 2 stage filtration system (10 micron sediment filter then 1micron filter) and installed directly after the pressure tank for whole system filtration. Problem solved for high iron, and 1 micron filter gets possible bacteria without affecting flow rate. We test our well annually, too. We change filter #1 every 3-4 months depending on use and the second filter every 6-8 months. There is still dissolved iron which is, IMO, beneficial from health perspective, but not enough to rapidly develop iron oxide discoloration. I do have to go around guest bathrooms and flush the toilet twice a month bc not used but that’s just me. If my adult kids came home more often that would help .

Look into green sand to remove the iron.

We have a spring with a lot of iron and the area around it has iron-loving bacteria. The bacteria form these long filaments which then clump into what looks like pinkish orange snot. It's disgusting, but the chickens and ducks don't care.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Look into green sand to remove the iron.

We have a spring with a lot of iron and the area around it has iron-loving bacteria. The bacteria form these long filaments which then clump into what looks like pinkish orange snot. It's disgusting, but the chickens and ducks don't care.

Our water is direct from a 90 ft deep well to pressure tank then plumbing so it’s not in contact with oxygen until it’s in an open container (toilet) or from the faucets. No chance of algae growth.