What can be done about green scum build up in waterer?

[punkin]

My 3 gallon waterer is building up scum due to the hot temps. Now I am only filling it halfway since I have to change it so often.

Is there anything I can add to the water that would keep it cleaner and be safe for my chickens to drink?

 

[onthespot]

I wouldn't add anything to the water but if the green scum is getting out of hand, try soaking the waterer in a bleach solution for a half hour or so. It will kill the little left behind algae and it will take it much longer to grow back and be easier to clean in between. Bleach them once a week and you will not get much growth at all. Rinse well!

 

[chickenannie]

Yeah, I get that green algae scum on my plastic waterers, but never on my galvanized ones. Maybe you could switch to galvanized? It's worse on waterers in the sunshine, and not as much on waterers I keep in the shade...

I scrub mine out over 4 or 5 days, but it's a pain to do it. Personally I'm not a fan of bleach even if it would work I'd be afraid of the chickens getting some bleach.

Hope there are more suggestions...

 

[Mahonri]

I keep mine in the shade and wash it down once a day.

 

[Beekissed]

Paint the outside of your waterer black, as the light encourages the growth of the algae. I also add some vinegar to my water. Gives the gals Vit. C and the acid inhibits organism growth.

 

[deborah]

We have a plastic waterer and a galvanized metal one. I agree, the galvanized metal one is scum resistant.

We mix a bit of apple cider vinegar in the plastic waterer and it helps. But you can't put vinegar in the galvanized metal one because it will etch the metal.

We keep the plastic waterer in the shade. Also, we use a power washer on it about every 2 weeks. That keeps our water pretty fresh.

 

[redhen]

i change my waterer every day...and i put mine in the dishwasher once a week...very high heat....but honestly..for green algae... i think washing it out daily..or try a 1/10 part bleach solution,(1 part bleach, to 10 parts water)..i'm pretty sure bleach kills algae.., just keep washing it daily, but you have to rinse the bleach solution out of the waterer VERY WELL.... and once you kill the algae, it should be okay....but algae is pain to get rid of..thats why the bleach helps...good luck....Wendy

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

YUP washing in bleach water works for me too. AND you could try adding vinegar too.

 

[punkin]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I'll try the vinegar.

 

[doodledo]

I too us bleach to clean mne out. Not much at all and let it bake in the sun to dry off for a while. While I do this I have a dog dish they drink out of. I use vinegar in my water every day and I still get a little bit of algea.