Rain water for chickens?

[basmommy]

We are installing rain barrels this week. I am wondering if I can use the water for my chickens. If so can I still use the mosquito dunks?if not is there something safer to use that will prevent Mosquitos?

 

[BrittBergh]

I use rain water for my chickens. They are fine...the dunks are fine too..well thats what the company said anyway.

 

[NotableNancy]

I use rain water and they are fine. I just make sure to clean my waterers really well 2x a week.

 

[LoneOak]

I've been using rain water on my main coop for many years now. I have gone an entire year more than once without having to add any water. I have a uniseal in the very bottom with a valve that I use to clean it out every spring. I also keep a gallon of bleach near by that I use to add a 1/4 cup or so after every good rain to keep the algae down. When I put the barrel in I didn't know anything about the nipples or drinker cups so it has Little Giant Auto Founts attached that have been real reliable and easy to maintain.

Here is the drum just after I installed it in 2003 I believe.

I plumbed it up so the clear tube is a gauge and I built the collection downspout by simplying cutting, bending, riveting and sealing up another piece of downspout. I have a gutter guard on the gutter and debris screens several places in the system. I believe after I took this picture I added a tee to the top of the plumbing and put in a screen to let air escape but still tight enough to keep the critters out.

 

[4 the Birds]

Rainwater is far cleaner than our well water! My rain barrel has window mesh on the top opening to keep out "skeeters" and debris.

 

[bloonskiller911]

we use rain water for all of our animals. we have a large rain barrel that the rabbits and dogs are watered out of and a trough for the chickens, one for the sheep, and one for the horse. to keep mosquito larvae out of them we use goldfish. just go to the nearest pet store and buy the cheap feeder fish. you can get a dozen for like 2 dollars around here. put a few in each and they will take care of the mosquitos. and if they die they are cheap to replace.

 

[basmommy]

I have always given my chickens acv in their water. Do you add it to your rain water?
Our barrels have fine mesh on top to keep out bugs etc. I want to add the dunks but my husband thinks we don't need them. Any thoughts?

 

[Hawgon]

I have used my rain-water collection system for over a year now and no problems at all. I have several couplers and valves in it for draining and cleaning once a year(I do clean the gutter every week). I use 2 small mesh screens for debri and ACV every week or 2. I have since modified it since the pictures were taken and now have the nipples under the raised coop. Works great.

 

[Hawgon]

I have used my system for over a year now and love it. I used 2 small mesh screens for large debris and add ACV every week or so. I have since modified it since the pics were taken and have the nipples under the raised coop now. Works great with a major cleaning once a year and I rinsed the gutters out every week or so. I have valves and couplers to assist in cleaning.

 

[Hawgon]

Sorry about the double post......