Slimy waterers

[QChickieMama]

So, every time I refill my chickens' waterers, they're slimy on the inside and gross-smelling. Is it OK not to wash them? I usually just rinse them thoroughly with the hose and refill. Should I super-clean them once per week? Would that be enough? Or do they not care at all?

 

[PressOn]

If you have more than one, pull one at a time out to rest with bleach water for a day. Organic matter like slime and algae is easily destroyed by bleach.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

In past years I did use bleach on my waterers (metal). Then I read that maybe bleach wasn't so good for metal waterers.

So, I switched to using regular dish liquid and a brush. No problems whatsoever!!!

I do the scrubbing out of the waterers when they need it. More often in hot weather obviously. Works well!!!!

 

[allpeepedout]

I just got a nice little brush for hubcap cleaning in the auto section to quickly scrub out waterers and buckets. It's soft enough to get into all the little angles, yet firm enough to do the job. I scrub out containers in a few seconds every time I change the water and rinse well, and that keeps them squeaky clean.

 

[Eggcessive]

Do you wash your water glass everyday or do you just spray it out once a week? You should keep a nylon scrubber or cloth by your hose and wash out those water buckets with dishwahing soap every time you fill them up. For me that is daily--I could see maybe every other day in the winter, but come on , it gets a little gross to think that chickens who poop in their own water, don't get clean water daily. Adding aple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon to 1 gallon water will keep your water cleaner (for plastic waterers only.) I don't mean to offend anyone, but I wouldn't want to drink out of a slimy waterer.

 

[AccentOnHakes]

Try using ACV in the water.

I keep my waterers inside the coop, because I don't get algae without sunlight. Also, I just rinse and then wipe down with a paper towel.

 

[Erica]

Gosh, I've never used anything but water and a brush to clean the waterers. A bit of a swizzle around with a brush works wonders. Toilet brushes are terrific and stop hands getting gunky. For me the idea of growing my own chickens includes trying to make it as self sufficient and non-synthetic-chemical-input as possible. So I avoid detergents etc.

Keeping a tub out of sunlight helps inhibit algae. A quick swizzle, rinse and refill is all I've ever done, and I've never had illnesses due to water quality. Once every two to three days I give the plastic a scrub. It takes only a few seconds. Sometimes when I'm raising meat birds in a tractor they foul their water a lot more, but it's a simple case of giving it a blast with the hose every morning.

Whatever suits you, I guess... this is just what suits me.

 

[7L Farm]

I clean my waterers daily & add Braggs evey other time.

 

[BellevueOmlet]

If you use a 5 gallon bucket for your water source, you will need to clean it out A LOT less often.

 

[gale65]

I use ACV in the water. When I fill it, I use a new toilet brush to scrub it out but I only use water. No soap.