Stinky chick waterer...

[gumpsgirl]

Has anybody else had problems with their chicks waterer being smelly? I have the basic clear, plastic waterer with the red screw-on bottom for chicks. I am almost wondering if it is getting mildew in it or something. I guess it would be from the warm environment. I know this is silly, but what do I do about it? I rinse it out and give them fresh water twice a day. Do I need to clean it with some dishsoap or will that hurt them? Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

 

[CarriBrown]

I clean mine with dish soap or run them through the dishwasher.

 

[brooster]

I use the same water, and it is fine with chickens, but when i used it for my quail it smelled.

 

[ibpboo]

You can also clean it with chlorine to kill any mildew, rinse well and let air dry. I do this to my chicken water when it gets too green. I also clean out the horse trough occasionally this way.

 

[tpantali]

We clean ours, which is metal, with vinegar about once a week, sometimes more when needed.

 

[Corey NC]

I just run mine through the dish washer.

 

[Poison Ivy]

I notice mine smell more if it sits on the bedding. I keep a block of wood under mine which seems to help. Now the quail waterer that is another story. They kick feed in it and it smells to high heaven. Gross I clean it several times a day.

 

[hinkjc]

Generally a smell indicates there is bacteria growing in the waterer. I would wash it with dish soap or run it thru the dish washer like others suggested. I always keep extras on hand and swap them out every other day. Chicks are messy little buggers, so this way I can soak one while they have a fresh one.

Jody

 

[ebonykawai]

I have mine velcro-ed to a square of wood 1/2 inch thick. That prevents them from bowling the waterer over and spilling it everywhere, but I can also remove it to wash and refill.

 

[mangled]

Ours is set up on a half a brick. I clean it once daily with anti-bacterial handsoap, rinse it well, then clean it thoroughly with dishsoap after. It gets changed twice a day, but I rinse it the second time.

The velcro and wood block is great idea!!

Em