Cooling chicks with frozen milk jugs. Another way? Suggestions Please!

[newbie donna]

They seem to love them but, I'm not so happy with the way I've been doing it. I take the frozen plastic bottles, place them all in a big trash bag and put it in a shady corner of the run. At the end of the day, I remove the bottles from the bag, throw the bag away, (it's way nasty as they like to sit on the bottles) and then refreeze the water overnight. It's bothering me that I'm using so many trash bags. Is there something else you've come across that doesn't involve all those trash bags? I love recycling and hate waste!

 

[Morgan7782]

I am confused why you are using garbage bags at all...?

I just freeze 2 liters of water and stick them in various spots under the shade. They lay against them and stuff, but never used a garbage bag..

 

[clothdiaperingmom]

I dont use anything over my jugs either. But if you have to, why not walmart bags? (I recycle them by using them as trash bags. I dont buy actual trash bags ever)

 

[Saffron2]

I just wash my containers before refreezing.

 

[newbie donna]

The reason I've been covering them with bags is... well... to tell the truth, *sighs* I'm a pretty bad germaphobe. If something gets "too dirty", then it can't go into my refrigerator or freezer. Stupid rule but, that's why they call it a phobia, I guess.

Washing them would mean eventually bringing the containers into my kitchen, (my other freezer is out in the garage) and after a thorough washing by hand then a trip through the dishwasher. I know this is illogical but, if I use my sink/dishwasher for anything that dirty, (meaning poop touched it), I can't use it for human food again.

I generally get paper instead of plastic whenever I shop but I guess I could get some things for Wal-Mart for their plastic bags.

Thank you for the ideas and I apologize for my idiocyncrasies.

 

[Morgan7782]

No need to apoligize at all! Makes sense, and that is totally cool, I just wasn't sure

I am the oppisat of a germaphobe I think lol. My brother is similar to that, to an OCD level. I hope you find an easier way to handle the situation. Here in Sacramento the stores are going to begin CHARGING for plastic bags, not sure about where you live, but best stock up if you can

 

[Dar]

what about a tarp that can be hosed off and hung on a laundry line to dry over night and reuse in the morning

 

[zazouse]

I double bag mine with bags i get my store boughts in,

then when i want to refreeze them i double bag them again and refreeze and i bury mine in the ground so they last longer and cool more area;

There is nothing wrong with taking precautions and being safe side.

 

[KimberlyJ]

I have indoor birds and the only way to change their water is in my sink....YUCK. So I understand how you feel. I've divided my sink into two "zones". One side for animals and the other side for human dishes. AND I spray both sides down with bleach when I'm done.

What about hosing off the water bottles with the garden hose before you bring them into the house or garage to wash more thoroughly?

 

[ChixMama]

I wouldn't want to wash chicken poopy jugs in my kitchen sink (or my tubs for that matter, either)!

I've got a large plastic storage container outside that I fill with water & add bleach (gotta love clorox!) when I have several 3 liter bottles that need cleaning. The bottles are scrubbed & then set aside to dry (I hose them off when I remove them from the run so there's not much on them anyway.) After they are dry (doesn't take long in this heat!) they are put back into the garage fridge's freezer. The storage container was a spare one I had lying around & tried to make an outdoor fridge for the chicks to lie in a cool area--silly chickens wouldn't go near it. The frozen bottles are placed in an old shallow water pan to keep the water cool to drink or to walk in & cool off their feet. The things we do for our chickens!