Rain versus 'house' water

[Eggscaping]

My partner did a science experiment for a school science fair wherein she raised two maple tree seedlings - one using only rain water and one using water from the hose. The one getting rain water grew twice as fast and the leaves were bigger and better than the one that got hose water.
This makes me wonder if anyone has ever done that sort of experiment with livestock...like, say...chickens?

 

[nchls school]

My partner did a science experiment for a school science fair wherein she raised two maple tree seedlings - one using only rain water and one using water from the hose. Depending where you live the hose water will have chemicals or hard minerals that are not conducive to good plant growth. Water is broken apart in photosynthesis and used by the plant to make sugars (it's food) and the other stuff from the hose interferes with that. Some of those chemicals are toxic to plants. The one getting rain water grew twice as fast and the leaves were bigger and better than the one that got hose water.
This makes me wonder if anyone has ever done that sort of experiment with livestock...like, say...chickens? Or people for that matter. Over the years I have tried rainwater versus tap water with my birds and have not noticed any difference in growth. Actually, those chemicals that keep us safe probably do the same for livestock.

 

[Willowspirit]

Two is not a very big sample. It would be interesting to see if this held up for a larger number of plants. My chickens get rain water when it rains and hose water when it doesn’t so I can’t tell you much. We have a well, though and we all get the same water.

 

[nchls school]

Two is not a very big sample. It would be interesting to see if this held up for a larger number of plants. I'm quite sure it would, but probably not twice as fast. A lot would depend on plant species. I did similar experiments with my science students (before retirement) and the results were similar. I'm sure that any experienced gardener would back this up as would a horticulturist. My chickens get rain water when it rains and hose water when it doesn’t Mine too.so I can’t tell you much. We have a well, though and we all get the same water.
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[Mtnboomer]

We are forced to give our birds well water in the winter (don't want to freeze and bust the rain barrels) but in warmer months they get all rain water.
Chickens slaughtered in the summer -fall are on avg nearly 3/4lb heavier but i associated that with the abundance and variety of bugs and seeds they get during that time of year.

 

[50-45-1]

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/rainwater-collection.html
Plants and trees have roots that filter water.
The above article shows what cantaminants can be in rain water.
Miracle grow is really good for my garden, but would i mix some up for my self or my chickens?

 

[Rammy]

I always give my chickens rain water if I can. I have several buckets set up to catch the rain. Beats having to carry a big bucket or drag a hose out to the coop.

 

[WannaBeHillBilly]

After moving from Houston to Charleston in West Virginia we were really disappointed with the city water's quality: The Houston water tended to have a slightly yellowish color after heavy rains (that's how i got a washer full of urine-yellow t-shirts…) but was otherwise ok.
Here in Charleston, the water smells like a freshly chlorinated swimming-pool during the summer…
I'm planning to build a rainwater catching system, but need to find a cheap storage-tank solution first.
Depending on where you live and the direction of the wind, your rainwater may contains a lot of nasty contaminants. Just ask the people in Baytown,TX - downwind of the port of Houston and all the petrochemical plants there…