Plastic or G. metal Feeders/waters

[WalkingWolf]

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I replace the water daily sometimes twice or even more with the ducks. I never have a algae problem. Most water will get a certain amount of bacteria in the water just from the birds drinking and should be changed at least daily. ACV seems to keep the sludge from the ducks rinsing from sticking to the bottom of the buckets. ACV cannot be used with galvanized buckets or water dispensers, the acid will leach the zinc from the galvanization into the water. In fact the galvanized zinc water cups are no longer used with parrots as they were found to cause paralysis and zinc in the blood of the parrots. Chickens do not have as long a lifespan so it may not be a problem for them.

 

[Judy]

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Your choice - except I would not be comfortable not offering water during the night. They aren't going to drink in the dark of night, but they do wake up early and thirsty, and mine eat and drink some after being put in the coop for the night.

 

[sangel4you]

How much apple cider vinegar do you use per gallon? or even per quart as that is what size mine is now. Mine are 2.5 weeks old and one has some diarrhea but no other problems so I would like to try that.

 

[WalkingWolf]

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To be honest I don't measure, I keep a gallon where I change water all the time and just pour probably about 1/4 cup into 3 gallons. For smaller containers I use a squirt bottle. I believe for a person it is a tablespoon per gallon, should be about the same for poultry.

 

[sangel4you]

great! Thank you! I'm excited about giving this a try because other than the occ diarrhea they are doing GREAT today...incredibly rambuncious and entertaining lol... so far 2.5 weeks is my favorite age! Lol

 

[swtamour]

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ACV aids in keeping the digestive system healthy it works for humans too. It also kills botulism C bacteria, along with germs. You will find with it's use that your water dispensers will clean much easier.

As far as water I use 3 gallon buckets from the deli at the supermarket. The ducks need to be able to submerse their head to keep the nostrils clean of dander and down. I only use the plastic water dispensers for chicks so they can reach the water. 5 gallon buckets work good too, but holes must be cut towards the top for the ducks and chickens to be able to reach the head through. The bucket will hold a days supply of water and stays relatively clean for just the chickens, there is no keeping water clean for the ducks.

I'm using ACV with the mother for my 3 chicks now. I heard yogurt also helps with digestion also, is both ok to give at the same time? Or should I not give yogurt since ACV is already in the water? I'm concern about giving them too much of a good thing.

 

[classless chickens]

we need to change the topic. It is no longer about plastic or metal feeders/waterers. How about chick digestion?

 

[montana girl]

I dislike the plastic waterers because they tend to wear out quickly. I use a galvanized waterer and a galvanized feeder.

My waterer I keep on top of a five gallon bucket in the run. the feeder hangs inside the run underneath a little roof.

I don't lock the girls in at night so they can come and get them in the morning.

For the chicks, I do use a plastic waterer, as I am not using it for that long before they are off and into the main population.

I have used ACV before in a plastic waterer in the summer as an addition to their other waterer.

I don't like keeping the food and water in the coop (unless its hard winter outside) because they tend to muck the coop up quicker if it is in there.

 

[classless chickens]

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This is the kind of info I was looking for.
Do you have problems with predators?
Maybe I should make one of those bucket waterers Ive seen here on BYC? do you think they would last longer than the store bought ones?

 

[espressola]

I live in Northern CA and it gets VERY hot here... especially in the summer. I use the galvanized feeders and waterers since I feel they hold up better- the plastic waterers only lasted one year for me (granted they were not the thicker, more expensive ones) and I use a chicken waterer heater in the winter so I need the galvanized one for that too. I used plastic feeders and waterers for my chicks, but I brood indoors and it's easier to control the temperature, plus a short-term thing (and they are not in the sun, which I think is part of what makes the plastic brittle). I am going to purchase a free-range feeder which will be plastic for the winter, but it is really thick and well-made, so I expect it to last for a long time... hppe this was a little bit of help...
Patty N. ;-)