How to stop algae from growing in my duck waters?

[KaleIAm]

I agree with the scrubbing. I also looked into something to help kill the algae, but couldn't trust if it would hurt my ducks and decided I couldn't risk it. I drain their pool (about 50 gallons) every night, rinse it out, do a quick 30 second wipe out with a scrub brush, and rinse it again. I do the same with their water buckets daily. Then I leave everything empty and dry overnight. It helps a lot.

On the weekend I spend a good 60 minutes REALLY scrubbing everything until I'd happily bathe in it. The ducks approve. You know how much they like to poop in perfectly clean pools.

 

[HalfWayUpAMountain]

I do the acv in the waterers and it does help - they also like it. It doesnt prevent the slime completely but it does keep it down.

Am on scrubbing duty at the weekend !

 

[Ratchnick]

You can plumb a loop from your pond that goes through a uv sterilizer and back into the pond. Would not be cheap but they work pretty well.

 

[BirdsBeesTrees]

You can put 2 drops of oregano oil per gallon of water. It's a natural antibiotic and mold doesn't grow in the waterers either.
Make sure you don't put more than 2 drops per gallon, it's very strong.

 

[FunQuail]

Thank you for all your responses! These are all excellent ideas and I appreciate you all responding! I will respond further tomorrow.

 

[FunQuail]

I agree with the scrubbing. I also looked into something to help kill the algae, but couldn't trust if it would hurt my ducks and decided I couldn't risk it. I drain their pool (about 50 gallons) every night, rinse it out, do a quick 30 second wipe out with a scrub brush, and rinse it again. I do the same with their water buckets daily. Then I leave everything empty and dry overnight. It helps a lot.

On the weekend I spend a good 60 minutes REALLY scrubbing everything until I'd happily bathe in it. The ducks approve. You know how much they like to poop in perfectly clean pools.

Yes I don't want my ducks to get hurt. I only saw the apple cider vinegar for chickens. I'm going to look for a tougher brush but what I was able to do helped.
Is that a welsh harlequin in your avatar picture?
Thank you!
Kelly

 

[FunQuail]

You can put 2 drops of oregano oil per gallon of water. It's a natural antibiotic and mold doesn't grow in the waterers either.
Make sure you don't put more than 2 drops per gallon, it's very strong.
View attachment 2290945

Thank you! You use this for your ducks?
Kelly

 

[KaleIAm]

Yes I don't want my ducks to get hurt. I only saw the apple cider vinegar for chickens. I'm going to look for a tougher brush but what I was able to do helped.
Is that a welsh harlequin in your avatar picture?
Thank you!
Kelly

Yes! That's a welsh harlequin! Good ID!

I just use a kitchen dish brush on a handle. Let me know if you find something that works better. I spend a lot of time scrubbing...

 

[FunQuail]

Yes! That's a welsh harlequin! Good ID!

I just use a kitchen dish brush on a handle. Let me know if you find something that works better. I spend a lot of time scrubbing...

Thanks! I have a male and a female welsh harlequin, River and Iris. What's her name? I will definitely let you know if I find something better! I used a hummingbird feeder brush lol . It actually worked pretty good because you could bend it but I'd like something longer and a tougher brush.

 

[Diane H]

Thank you for all your help everyone! I found a brush and cleaned it pretty well and that has helped a lot!

I find keeping waterers in the shade makes a big difference.