Is it safe for hens to drink water from burn (stream)?

[donnagreen]

Hi there, I live in a rural part of the Scottish Highlands. there is a small burn running through the garden near the hen enclosure but at least one of my neighbours has a septic tank with a soakaway very near to the burn. So far I haven't let the hens drink from the burn but I'm wondering if there is a test I could do to see if the water is clean? Has anyone got any ideas? Thanks.

 

[kellysmall87]

Could you ring the environmental health to run a test on the stream to see if there is a danger of sewage affecting your livestock?

 

[donnagreen]

That's a good idea. Thanks. There's no danger whilst they cannot get access but it would be nice to let them utilise the burn if posible

 

[kellysmall87]

Well yeah because it's nice and natural Good luck ,I hope that they can use it.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

You should be able to get a sample and test it. If your neighbor is built to code spec it should not contaminate the ground water...I'm guessing a burn is a creek? Mine will drink out of mud puddles, none dead yet..