is it ok for chickens to drink rain water? (not gray water)

[Frza]

We want to set up a rain collection system using the run off from our coop's rain gutter. Would it be ok for the birds to drink this water? My dog drinks rain water from puddles, containers in the yard, etc. However she does primarily get tap water. Is there any potential risk here? Would it be ok as their sole waer sorce? Just once in a while?
We live in suburban Portland OR, so not a rural setting in case that matters.
Thank you.

 

[the lone rhubarb]

You know, I'm not a really nice person, but I think that everyone should be polite on here.
I'm not trying to put anyone down, cause I know that some of this is just said in sport, but
we need to be nice to everyone, cause their just offering their advice (and I mean, we asked
for it!!

. Rancher hicks, I'm sure, was not trying to be rude or anything. I personally give my
chickies country well water. It's not the nicest stuff on earth, but I drink it too. My birds are
fine as far as I can tell, but I have no problem with people giving their birdies really clean,
good water, or puddle water.
I love BYC and I hope that everyone will have fun on here but still be polite!!!!

 

[satay]

Thats all mine get. I live rural and all water is rain water. Not off the chicken coop but rain water none the less. I am sure they would be fine.

 

[LovinMyHensInNC!]

I would think it is okay. Whenever there are puddles in our yard, my chickens will drink from them rather than their nice clean water in the bucket. Sometimes those puddles are so brown with mud I don't know what they are thinking!

 

[the lone rhubarb]

Yea mine drink & eat all sorts of stuff!!! One time they ate a whole mouse!!!

 

[Opa]

You title was a little concerning to me as "gray water" is the waste water discharge from a house sans bathroom. It would contain soap and would not be good for your birds. However what you actually doing is giving them stored rain water and that is perfectly fine.

 

[rancher hicks]

Certainly there are those apparently who will feed their birds anything and that is their privilage. I do not consider this any different than what the commercial poultry industry does with their birds. It is unsanitary and unsafe. I have read every book I can and subscribe and buy three different livestock magazines and none would advocate giving birds unclean water to drink. Even rain water can have parasites in it. Not to mention mosquito lava, which carry disease. Take their advice but be prepared to accept the risk. When you start posting about a sick bird or birds remember to let us know that you feed your birds whatever and let them drink whatever cuz this will most likely be the problem.


Or use wisdom and only feed your birds clean healthy food and water. It's one thing for birds to pick up things on their own but another to feed them unhealthy and unsafe food and water. Don't bother responding with your disagreeing comments my mind and opinion on this is written in stone. As well as every chicken raising book I've read.

 

[Imp]

Frza,

Much like satay, my brother lives out of town. His only source of water is rain, from the roof. He has a 35,000 gallon rain barrel in his back yard. Your birds will be fine, just make sure you keep the rain barrel clean.

Imp- grew up on rain water and miss the great taste.

 

[underground chickenman]

Rain water, yes. Gray water, no. Gray water is the stuff that goes down your drains.

UGCM

 

[Frza]

oops! excuse my misuse of the word. I misunderstood. Yes, I strickly mean rain water.

To the poster who is against it, I am just here for information and to learn from others' experience. I have no intention of feeding my birds 'whatever'. That is the reason I asked before doing this, to learn.

Is there anything I should add to the barrels / water dishes to make water safer?