What do you use to clean your waterers?

[nuttyredhead]

Do you use dish soap? I clean mine out once a day (sometimes twice depends on how messy!) replace the water, wipe the inside out with a cloth. I use a poultry water drinker. Im just curious how often you scrub them out and what you use, what is safe for the chicks? I am leaning heavily on getting some of the water nipples to cut down on the mess!!!!!

Thanks!!!

 

[3goodeggs]

The small ones got cleaned like you do. there was no problem. The large one...is too big for me to lift. so the husband cleans it. he soaks it with bleach. I do not like that idea, but he is doing it not me, so I just remind him of the posts about acidic vinegar in the water. and he gives me the 'no way will that kill algae' grunt. (it's all about bio films, but ...oh well.)
Anyway do a search on acidic acid and you will find a lot of great information on waters and keeping them clean.

edit to add... When they got bigger, we placed the large water up on some round pavers so it was chicken head height, that cut back on a lot of messy water. also we cut the top off of a l2liter soda bottle and put it on the handle of the water-er so the girls could not roost there and poo in the water.

 

[toletiquesbysam]

I have a large waterer 5gallon waterer in the coop, since it lasts for multiple days I use apple cider vinegar in it to keep it from growing algea. When it needs filled, I rinse it and fill it and add the acv and am done. The water tubs I use in the run, I just rinse and fill. When I do clean the waterer, which is about every 2weeks in the summer, I use a scrubbing brush and regular vinegar.

 

[nuttyredhead]

Quote:
Just making sure i understand.... you use apple cider vin. in the water? Doesn't it bother the chickens? If not then how much (approx.) do you use?

THanks!!!

 

[trilyn]

Quote:
Just making sure i understand.... you use apple cider vin. in the water? Doesn't it bother the chickens? If not then how much (approx.) do you use?

THanks!!!

It is the ORGANIC apple cider vinegar, very different than the regular old apple cider vinegar. The organic contains the "mother" and is a whole nother ball of wax. Great stuff, use it daily for the birds, keeps the respiratory system working nicely! Use 2 tbsps per gallon of water. I throw about a cup in 5 gallons and they guzzle it down. It also helps with calcium absorption, which with laying hens is very important.