Red Algae in water

[willr1976]

Ive recently discovered that my water in my chicken pens are turning red. some type of algae, is there anything i can put in the water to stop the growth of algae

its more in the pool where i keep my ducks


please help fellow friends....

 

[Mark & Nique]

Water in pens should be changed frequently enough to prevent the growth of algae. Red algae forms when there is a lot of -- even too much -- sunlight. Are you changing the chick's water enough? Is it in the shade?

Regarding the pool, depending upon your location, this may be a normal, albeit unfortunate, end-of-summer experience. Are there others in your area with similar situations?

 

[RedRoosterFarm]

oxine helps

 

[willr1976]

no i havent heard of anyone else with the problem. yea the pens are in mostly shade all day... the pool however is in direct sunlight....and i pour out and refill their water daily or every other day, i try to do it daily so they will always have fresh water....

 

[willr1976]

where do i buy oxine?

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

I would suggest putting a small amount of bleach or a swimming pool chlorine tablet (or part of one) in the pool. Could also use a floating chlorinator.

 

[willr1976]

now i hear that it is not red algae at all, however it is rust from the iron in the water, please help, im very confused on this, has anyone else had this problem?

 

[silkiechicken]

Touch the red stuff, if it is slimy, it is bacteria/algae. Brush out water containers with mild bleach solution, or soap and water often to get rid of and keep it at bay.

 

[ruth]

The inside lower part of all of our plastic waterers becomes coated with a red slimy film. I simply clean them out and refill. It's kind of hard to get it all out of the groves where they screw into the base, which will also be coated in red slime so I'll use a brush. Periodically, I'll clean them out with bleach but they will turn red after just a few days. Could be a combination of algae and iron level in water. So far, doesn't seem to be hurting anyone. I have over 300 birds and never had a sick one. It's only the plastic waterers that do this, however, our metal waterers tend to rust quickly or have a coating of rust that needs to be washed out so maybe it does have something to do with the iron level in the water.

 

[A-K-A]

Sun light or light penetration in water will promote algae growth. This is the first time i have experianced red algae. I clean it and add apple cider vinger. I think i will move it to a shadier spot.