What do you clean the waterer with?

[ashlandco]

Honestly, i just rinsed it... And they were fine

 

[FullHouseMama]

I have it raised on a scrap of 2x4 so it stays clean or at least less dirty. I rinse the bottom or when they get bedding in it. I have a jug filled with water mixed with the probiotics, electrolytes, and apple cider vinegar. So far it has looked clean so every morning I rinse and refill.

 

[Folly's place]

My birds get plain water with no additives, and the waterers gets rinsed out and refilled as needed. I might scrub them out with a brush sometimes, and rarely then bleach and rinse very well. Mud puddles are favorites for mine too, so it's hard to get excited about washing waterers!
Mary

 

[peeper89]

Some of how an how often depends on your philosophy. I don't try to keep my chicks or chickens in a sterile environment where they cannot strengthen their immune system, I expose them at a very young age to the environment they will be living in later so they can start developing immunities while chicks. I go so far as to take dirt from their run and feed that to them every few days while they are in the brooder to help strengthen their immune system. I think I'm outnumbered in this thread.

I don't know what type of waterer you have, that can make a difference. If you use nipple waterers and the reservoir is sealed so mosquitoes can't lay eggs in it you can go a long time between cleaning. If the chicks can poop in it the waterer needs dumping on a daily basis. I use a pet bowl with rocks in it to keep the chicks from drowning. That gets dumped and refilled daily. I generally do not scrub it out or use any cleaner in it until after the chicks are out of the brooder, usually at five weeks, but I do rinse it out well each time I refill it. Then I wash it well with a bleach solution to get it ready for the next time.

 

[chikenfarmer]

I have a main waterer that's metal I keep in the coop area and a plastic one thats out in the wood shed area. I usually just spray them out with the hose before I refill them. I used to be picky and wash them in the sink with Dawn. I quickly learned this is a tedious task with no thanks from the chickens , as they prefer just drinking standing water from the yard that would collect while spraying out the waterers! Hah i also keep a small bucket in the yard with water that they like to gather around .

Pretty much if the water doesn't smell , or the container isn't growing alge , I just rinse and refill.

 

[Duckstail]

I don't try to keep my chicks or chickens in a sterile environment where they cannot strengthen their immune system, I expose them at a very young age to the environment they will be living in later so they can start developing immunities while chicks.

Although using antibacterial soap and the Neosporins of the world in the long run Is Not goid, there are times when you do need it..

What you said about strengthening the immune system is 100% inaccurate that's not how immune system works. Otherwise countries that are the most disgusting would have the highest life expectancy which they have proven they do not. Places like Madagascar who have the worst hospitals and some of the most disgusting living conditions have the lowest life expectancy.

Humans didn't advance till we started having water running water and sewer system.

Obviously you can do whatever you want! I just wanted to clear up some facts!