Two Suspicious Deaths

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I think giving your chickens water from the rainbarrel may be a problem.
I use the water from my rainbarell for my garden but would never think of making my chickens or dogs drinking it.
Once that raindrop hits your roof think about what it can pick up, like wild bird and squirel poop.
Pollutants from the air. Heavy metals from the roof , mold from rotting leaves in the gutter, all kinds of rooftop nasties.
Also the roof itself. Some roofs are treated with anti algie treetments containing zink ot arsinate or copper.
What about misqueto larve?
I would never give my pets water i would not drink myself.
I hope your bird recovers!

 

[mariljn64]

I'm glad she's doing better and hopefully you've figured it out. Curious, where the water in your rain barrels is collected from? I considered using them several years ago, but decided not to due to having asphalt shingles and concern about toxins leaching from them. Just curious.

Actually, we have a metal roof which is supposed to be the best for collecting rain water. I think it has just been so humid here this summer that mold and mildew was starting to form in there. I should have cleaned it out sooner, but didn't think about it. Bad, chicken Mom! Sigh. As for the asphalt shingles, I have heard mixed reviews. Most say the main determiner is the age of the roof.