Keeping things clean

[Psittizen Shikkin]

Quote:
And it's good for the shikkins too.

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

Try a capful of applecider vinegar to help with algae.

I'm gonna try this too!

Thanks!

 

[al6517]

i just soak a rag in bleach and wash away it turns the algae's color instantly, I always try to keep them in the shade too, I add 1 capfull of bleach to the waterer per 5 gal and the birds are fine and no algae at all, EVER. but only in the summer months.

 

[thepetpaw]

I have to say I have not put bleach in the chickens water yet but I know an old farmer - 72 years old and has been rasing chickens for nearly 50 years ( a real sweet guy) he puts bleach in his chickens water - I watched him do it....he says it keeps them from getting sick and if any are sneezing it will disinfect the water so they do not spread it to the other chickens.

He has all kinds of chickens and says he has been doing it for over 20 years! I have not seen any dead chcikens from drinking the water and he has almost 200 chickens and they are all Ok - Kinda crazy but he does it!

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

For anyone on city water...that's what we (and the chickens) are drinking....chlorine.

I would put a capful in a 5 gallon waterer, keep it in the shade and use straight bleach on it to clean. If you put a small amount in it when you are cleaning it and rinse well, it shouldn't be too much to pour on the ground.

 

[DuckLady]

Get you a toilet brush. We keep several out in the pen area for buckets, waterers, etc. It gets into the nooks and crannies.

Home Depot had them a few months back for a nickel each and we bought a dozen.

 

[chickenfanatic]

Quote:
wow great deal hahaha i have heard of bleach in the water but never done it i dont think small amount would hurt them like gator said thats what is in city water anyway. glad im on a well hahahaha.

 

[dogzrule5]

Quote:
Yep - clean it out really well and get rid of the algae with diluted bleach water; rinse well and then add ACV to the drinking water to prevent algae. I believe it's 1 tsp per gallon of water.

 

[menageriemama]

I use vinegar. For everything. By the gallon full.

 

[CA Bean]

I definitely would try the alternative first before using bleach. It may work but I am not a big advocate of it. I use it sparingly and as last resort for anything in my house. I would agree with previous poster to try Apple cider vinegar first for the animals/humans/birds. It is healthy too.