Stinky water after two days in galvanized waterer

[Farmgirl1878]

I have tried cleaning with hot water and Dawn detergent, but after about forty-eight hours, both waterers stink. It smells foul and sour. Not like rotten food, not like poop (theirs or mine), just metallicky and gross. I use a plastic waterer in the summertime, but need to use the galvanized waterers with heated (separate) bases in the wintertime. Our water is “city” water, but there’s a LOT of clay sediment in it. We have a seven stage filter for the house, but there’s barnyard is on a spigot straight from Pike Water.

I’d like to be able to change the water every third day, especially when it’s at or below freezing out here. Any suggestions for additives to keep it from smelling so bad? (Unfortunately, there’s no labs in the area where I can have it tested for anything other than the basics.)

 

[AGeese]

I use plastic with those. Not that plastic doesn't leach, but I haven't noticed any smell. I did notice my galvanized drinker corroded pretty quick so it must have had a pretty thin coating otherwise I'd be using it.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

I use plastic with those. Not that plastic doesn't leach, but I haven't noticed any smell. I did notice my galvanized drinker corroded pretty quick so it must have had a pretty thin coating otherwise I'd be using it.

You use plastic waterers like this with that type of heated base?

 

[AGeese]

You use plastic waterers like this with that type of heated base?

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I use Harris Farms Heated Drinker Base which are recommended for metal pan, double wall fountain as well as Harris Farms or Free Range (brands) Plastic Drinkers (from the instructions)

 

[aart]

We have a seven stage filter for the house,

Have you tried the house water in the new waterers to see if it gets funky?

 

[Farmgirl1878]

Have you tried the house water in the new waterers to see if it gets funky?

That’s my next step. It’s just a PITA to have to carry that much water out to the barnyard. I (foolishly) convinced my hubby that we didn’t need to have the builders put a rough out for a bathroom in our basement… I regret that every time I have to fling off boots and Carhartts to run upstairs to tinkle!

 

[Farmgirl1878]

That’s my next step. It’s just a PITA to have to carry that much water out to the barnyard. I (foolishly) convinced my hubby that we didn’t need to have the builders put a rough out for a bathroom in our basement… I regret that every time I have to fling off boots and Carhartts to run upstairs to tinkle!

Oooh, just remembered I can take a gallon out and put it in the heated dog bowl to see if that makes a difference!

 

[aart]

Oooh, just remembered I can take a gallon out and put it in the heated dog bowl to see if that makes a difference!

How many birds do you have?
I've had up to ~20 and just carry out a gallon jug daily.

 

[Al Gerhart]

Well, if we can rule out iron in the water which you would notice in the house, I'd say you are breeding a legionaries disease outbreak.

Un-sanitized cleaning method, warm water at a perfect breeding temperature for bacteria, no shortage or horrific types of bacteria and worse in a chicken coop= one seriously scary situation.

Switch from using Dawn dish soap to Clorox bleach. Rinse it well of course.

Remember lots of diseases like Anthrax lives naturally in the ground. Think of your chicken feed and water like a buffet in a restaurant, try to provide feed and water at outside temperature at most, not elevated temperatures unless you go over the food safety limit and keep it there. Chickens have cast iron digestive systems, they have to, but most chickens are walking a razor edge their entire lives living with disease elements within their body and surrounding them. Sanitize, take bio security very seriously or invite the kind of crap we saw in California a few years ago.