My Flock of Pet Chickens — Dead. Can Self-Waterers Poison Water?

[ges]

There are numerous reasons that chickens die. Don't assume it's the water or waterer....just because it smelled bad. It could have been...but it could also have been other reasons. Disease, predation, etc. Normally, you might see signs of predation - but some of the little killers - just kill for the heck of it...especially pets. Disease may be more probable. If you really want an answer - you should send a couple of the dead chickens for a post-mortem exam. Usually that is done by a "state" lab at the land-grant university or the state department of agriculture. BUT it needs to be done immediately after death.

Go ahead and take precautions with the waterer - that may be the cause. But unless you have some kind of "proof" - you will always be left guessing as to the cause. I'd suggest reviewing all the possible causes - don't just focus on the water.

 

[daryl]

so sorry for your loss .please let us know if you find out.sounds like somthing in the water went bad. fresh clean water is a must. I change my water every other day and my waters are made out of glass.I wish I could help more..

 

[daryl]

because they all died at the same time it is more likely something they ingested .

 

[Big C]

Quote:
Sorry for your lose,,,
Any new waterer or feeder we purchase or make we bleach or use apple cider vinegar. Plasics use bleach, metal use apple cider vinegar. After we just clean them with a brush so we keep some bacteria that our flocks are used to.

Best practice would be to change water each day so it is fresh. Water looses its airation and becomes flat within 24 hrs or less. As an example leave a bottled water open in your car for 24 hrs then drink it. It will not taste the same as one that is "fresh".

No matter how tired or stressed we are we always give fresh water every 12-16 hours.

 

[threehorses]

Quote:
I'd also consider things like soured feed, since it's been raining. Anything that mildews, they can eat and it can kill them.

Also I have to say that if you didn't check them in three days, that's three days of feed sitting out in the feeder during humidity and rain. that's more likely the culprit, mycotoxins or botulism. Though I'd certainly get rid of that waterer.

 

[Rivka]

I would be worried about my other animals too. I am worried someone poisoned your flock. Have you had anyone complain about them? One of my neighbors had her dog dies cause the dog ate a bit of a dead rat. The rat had eaten rat poison and that poison in the dead rat killed the dog. This is really so sad...I lost some to some racoons and just had to not think about it.

 

[Akane]

Plasics use bleach, metal use apple cider vinegar.

Bit backward. Vinegar will damage metal and shouldn't be used unless you are rinsing it off again right away. Either works on plastic but I prefer vinegar.​

 

[write2caroline]

I agree - the foul smell could have been something dribbled in.

I know Nalgen drinking bottles retain smells - Use them for hiking. It is super tough to get the smells out and it can taint the next water. My kids constantly fill them with lemonaid and forget about them.

Some plastics will leach chemicals when heated. but less than 80 degrees would not be hot enough to leach.

Hoses too leach lead.

I am still thinking someone might have filled bottle with some chemical and it was not washed out properly or it could have been mold or black algea.

I am so sorry for your loss. I would suggest those avian clean water hanging waterers with the nibs and if you must travel - give them many. Of course clean water daily. Lots of sources of water is good.

This is so aweful for you!
I am so very saddened for your loss
Caroline
Jax FL

 

[crazyhen]

How do you get your water to put in the waterers? Do you use a hose? Some are not registered for drinking because they do leach chemicals. I quit using reg. waters. I now use a plastic dish pan. I change it everyday and clean it out with clorox at least once weekly. I also use acv. to prevent algae.
Also some chemicals may have been stored to close to your waterer in the store. I know one time I got a soda out of a machine in one and it smelled of chemicals so heavy that I through it away.
I am so sorry that you lost your chickens. I would cry too. I love my ladies. Gloria Jean

 

[threehorses]

Have you thought about having your actual water tested? Sometimes if there are bacteria in the water, then closing them up in a container and holding them there a day or two will make the bacteria bloom. Otherwise you might not notice them, but could be drinking and bathing in that stuff.