My chicken watering solution

[bairo]

Well the system seems to be working well. The only problem I have had is keeping the water clean. Since it's in an aquarium it's very obvious when the water starts to get a little cloudy or funky. Initially I was using apple cider vinegar (Bragg's) partly because I often take it myself and liked the idea of the chickens having some since people seemed to think it was good for them. Trouble is I think it could be a problem with my system because things seem to start growing in the tank even with a complete change out of the water once a week. Maybe good (healthy?) things if the "mother" is still active but I'm concerned that they might clog up the relatively narrow hose leading from the acquarium to the nipples or possible clog the nipples thenselves. So we're trying our homemade collodial silver -- about half a dropper per quart of water. So far this seems to be keeping the water clear and based on our experience it would be good for the chickens. Has anyone else used this?

Well..I know im a day late (ok 5 weeks late from your post) but maybe youll see it anyway. I used to breed aquarium fish and can tell you for certain that if you keep sunlight away from your tank that you will greatly reduce the cloudiness (the start of algae growth). Could you wrap the tank in a black cloth or have light blocking shades or curtains on that window?

 

[breakout]

I will try blocking the light more. Using colloidial silver seemed to help but there still seemed to be some film developing over time so I would love to eliminate that. Thanks for posting!

 

[breakout]

The aquarium water tank has been staying nice and clear since I started putting a heavy cloth over it -- yay and thanks to bairo! I'm still adding a squirt of collodial silver per qt of ice water

 

[PequestFarm]

Great systems! Love the rain barrel setup too...

I concur with previous post about keeping the sun off of the fish tank to prevent algae buildup. Another possible option would be to just go with a smaller vessel as a holding tank, and fill it daily with fresh water.

The screw-in nipples are very easy to use, and I have extras if anyone needs them. They are only a couple of bucks each, but I bought WAY too many!

All the Best,
Anthony

 

[tallgrass]

Well the system seems to be working well. The only problem I have had is keeping the water clean. Since it's in an aquarium it's very obvious when the water starts to get a little cloudy or funky. Initially I was using apple cider vinegar (Bragg's) partly because I often take it myself and liked the idea of the chickens having some since people seemed to think it was good for them. Trouble is I think it could be a problem with my system because things seem to start growing in the tank even with a complete change out of the water once a week. Maybe good (healthy?) things if the "mother" is still active but I'm concerned that they might clog up the relatively narrow hose leading from the acquarium to the nipples or possible clog the nipples thenselves. So we're trying our homemade collodial silver -- about half a dropper per quart of water. So far this seems to be keeping the water clear and based on our experience it would be good for the chickens. Has anyone else used this?

How about small wire mesh over the outlet and some algae eaters from a fish store?

 

[breakout]

Whatever was in the water wasn't enough to require a mesh -- it was just sort of a slight cloudiness but it seems to have been taken care of by covering the tank -- water is nice and clear ;-) We're adding 1-2 quarts of ice water per day. Funny thing we didn't expect is that besides drinks the chickens come for "showers" as well where they take water in their beaks and preen -- they end up wet looking and it must keep them cooler as well as cleaner (it's been hitting 100 a fair amount here in Austin).

 

[karlamaria]

well, Im one who likes to give fresh water to my girls, not some funky several day old stuff. I would say this is not a good idea and really just get a few hanging waterers . besides, do you really want a fish tank piped to your yard?

 

[breakout]

well, Im one who likes to give fresh water to my girls, not some funky several day old stuff. I would say this is not a good idea and really just get a few hanging waterers . besides, do you really want a fish tank piped to your yard?

Wow! What you must be imagining! At this point I'm putting in two quarts of icewater a day into about a gallon in the tank so the water probably isn't in there more than a day anyway. And the water is run first thru a four stage reverse osmosis system. If you're giving your girls tap water then they're getting the same chlorine, floride, VOCs and possible toxic minerals from your city system that you are. If you're filling you hanging waterers from a hose that's not designed for drinking water then you're probably putting in chemicals from that (see warning tags on hoses) and if you're using plastic waterers who knows what comes from those into the water -- ever drink water from a plastic bottle that has been in the heat for a while? You can taste the plastic. Which is why I'm using a glass tank. Re: your concern about a "fish tank piped to my yard" -- it was never used for fish LOL! Just a way to find a glass container that would work.

 

[karlamaria]

Wow! What you must be imagining! At this point I'm putting in two quarts of icewater a day into about a gallon in the tank so the water probably isn't in there more than a day anyway. And the water is run first thru a four stage reverse osmosis system. If you're giving your girls tap water then they're getting the same chlorine, floride, VOCs and possible toxic minerals from your city system that you are. If you're filling you hanging waterers from a hose that's not designed for drinking water then you're probably putting in chemicals from that (see warning tags on hoses) and if you're using plastic waterers who knows what comes from those into the water -- ever drink water from a plastic bottle that has been in the heat for a while? You can taste the plastic. Which is why I'm using a glass tank. Re: your concern about a "fish tank piped to my yard" -- it was never used for fish LOL! Just  a way to find a glass container that would work.

Actually I use a water hose, meant for just water, my water has no flouride, and is also run through asmosis. My wateres are never in the sun, never, my chickens have a enclosed pen that the water hangs in, ice also goes int my chickens water
I have many fish tanks, Will be growing the green stuff for my chickens this winter, in fact you reminded me to take them out and get them cycling!

 

[bigoledude]

Our water comes out of the Mississippi river. I imagine some of it may come from as far away as Minnesota. That makes it way older than "funky several day old stuff".

Then it passes through the water treatment plant and it probably takes a few days/weeks to reach me. I guess it also, is older than "funky several day old stuff".

Now, it sits in my barrel for a few days at a time. This certainly makes it older than "funky several day old stuff". All my chickens have ever drank is "funky stuff".

I can't imagine getting my water from an underground aquifer where it may have been for hundreds of years! Then, I guess, it would be considered "funky several centuries old stuff".

I may start condensing some steam and then run to the waterer to ensure they are getting brand new fresh water. Sheesh!!!