Rain Barrel?

[bigredfeather]

I have come across a large water tank. I was wanting to use it to collect rain water to use for my flock. I have spouting on the barn which I can rig up to fill the tank.

Does anyone else do this? Do you have to put anything in the water to prevent bacteria from growing in the water?

 

[rileysgranny]

I think that some apple cider vinegar would help hold down the growth of any algae. I'm thinking of putting in a 55 gallon tank myself, so any other input would be welcome.

 

[purpletree23]

I would use the water for my veggie or flower gardens not to water chickens. The water has too much time to grow nasty stuff and the barn roof would contribute any pollution or dust or the occasional bird poops from birds flying over. Chickens need fresh, cold water every day. Water that has been sitting around would not be good.

 

[cmom]

My birds love to drink out of rain puddles. I have seen no ill effects from them drinking the rain water.

 

[wildorchid053]

we live with a well and the iron is so high we have a filter and water softening system. i think too much salt for the chickens so we collect the rain water in large plastic paint buckets and put into 1 gallon milk jugs that we have saved.. it is the only water my chickens get. this winter i will pile snow and bring it inside to melt.. i also use it to water all the house plants.. everyone is fine

 

[d73]

Well where I live it's pretty hot so algee would be a problem. More of a problem though would be mosquito larva. I have to dump out any left over water every few days to get rid of them before they transform into mosquitoes.

 

[TipsyDog]

Be sure the barrel is out of the sun all day. One of mine gets hit with sun and that's where the algae grows.

What about a couple of silver coins? That's what they used 100 years ago.