Putting a piece of Copper in water to stop Algae growth?

[chickeman]

A friend recently told me that you can put a piece of copper in your water and it will help stop algae from growing. I tried looking it up on google but couldn't find anything specifically about it. Has anyone else heard of doing this? Does it work? Could it pose any health risks to chickens?

 

[3goodeggs]

Years ago my dad threw a penny in the dogs water bucket. It didn't have algae, until the copper wore off the penny and it was just zinc. But then the dogs probably didn't get a sore throat. I do no know why we do not do it now. Read up on ACV (apple cider vinegar) there are a lot of posts on it for use in the water. Supposed to be good all around...I don't know why we don't do that either. (because the husband is a non believer, that's why.)

 

[Zahboo]

I can imagine a bird drowning trying to fetch the shiny thing at the bottom (or am I the only one with ADD birds?)

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Scientifically it could work

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

I have never heard of it, but adding a few pennies I wouldn't think would hurt anything..just keep an eye on it.

 

[dirtdoctor]

So what is the benefit to just washing your waterer? fresh water is better than slimey alge water. Just scrub it and refresh the water.

 

[Chickenmaven]

Vinegar WILL reduce algae!

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

So what is the benefit to just washing your waterer? fresh water is better than slimey alge water. Just scrub it and refresh the water.

With the copper you don't HAVE to scrub algae, since it inhibits the growth, and they still get fresh water​

 

[WingingIt]

I've always put a few pennies in our birdbath to keep it from growing. It works.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I've heard of putting a Silver coin in a pitcher of milk stops it from souring when left out.