Rain Barrels for Drinking Water

[missmarielayne]

We started using a rain barrel as a water source for our chickens. We have it attached to a gutter on our chicken coop and it runs off of a corrugated steel roof. I read that Apple Cider Vinegar is a good way to keep algae and bacteria down but I'm just not sure how much to put in the barrel or if there is such thing as too much ACV. I noticed the water in the barrel is starting to have an unpleasant smell so I'm worried it's too contaminated to feed to the chickens. Does anyone add ACV to the water feeder as well? If so, what proportions are best to use? Any advice on using rain barrels as drinking water for chickens would be helpful!

 

[NorthTexasWink]

You cannot use ACV if the water is in contact with any metal, including storage containers or waterers. It leaches metals and bad chemicals into the water and corrodes the metal.

As for dosing, the folks who use it can advise best. If you use the search feature here you will find many threads about it full of information. Best of luck!

 

[BYChickenAl]

We started using a rain barrel as a water source for our chickens. We have it attached to a gutter on our chicken coop and it runs off of a corrugated steel roof. I read that Apple Cider Vinegar is a good way to keep algae and bacteria down but I'm just not sure how much to put in the barrel or if there is such thing as too much ACV. I noticed the water in the barrel is starting to have an unpleasant smell so I'm worried it's too contaminated to feed to the chickens. Does anyone add ACV to the water feeder as well? If so, what proportions are best to use? Any advice on using rain barrels as drinking water for chickens would be helpful!

Using a rain barrel is situational and other than a vitamin supplement mix, I'm hesitant to add anything to their drinking water.

Since you have algae build-up, the barrel doesn't get fully drained and replenished and gets stagnant. If it's an open-top barrel, it's subject to getting all kinds of contaminants. I wouldn't want my chickens drinking that. A smaller closed top barrel/bucket, that doesn't allow sunlight would help cut down on the algae. Routine rinsing and cleaning is still necessary but I consider that normal work. Just my opinion...and I really enjoy reading the inputs of others more experienced than myself.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

A tablespoon full of unscented chlorine bleach to every 5 gallons of water is the recommendation for long term storage of potable drinking water. But then again chlorine is so important to the health and well being of chickens that they can actually make their own chlorine.

 

[NorthTexasWink]

In the old days, we added bluing to our horse and cattle troughs to control algae. Even used it in the rinse water for my collie when his white chest and ruff were stained from the red mud. And once added too much, resulting in a baby blue bib on my poor dog, but I digress. It's old fashioned whitening liquid for laundry. I know it's still sold, as I saw it recently, just can't remember where. It takes very little to do the trick, we just judged amount by color of the water. Should be the color of the Mediterranean.

 

[GC-Raptor]

In the old days, we added bluing to our horse and cattle troughs to control algae. Even used it in the rinse water for my collie when his white chest and ruff were stained from the red mud. And once added too much, resulting in a baby blue bib on my poor dog, but I digress. It's old fashioned whitening liquid for laundry. I know it's still sold, as I saw it recently, just can't remember where. It takes very little to do the trick, we just judged amount by color of the water. Should be the color of the Mediterranean.

I've never been to the Mediterranean, can you send me a round trip ticket, Please. GC

 

[GC-Raptor]

Just so I can see the color, not to enjoy myself. GC

 

[AnnieSantiago]

You cannot use ACV if the water is in contact with any metal, including storage containers or waterers. It leaches metals and bad chemicals into the water and corrodes the metal.!

Well, this is news to me!
I've been putting about a teaspoon of ACV in my chooks' metal water container. I guess I'd better stop?

 

[GC-Raptor]

Well, this is news to me!
I've been putting about a teaspoon of ACV in my chooks' metal water container. I guess I'd better stop?

I hear yeah. I used to clean my galvanized waterer with white vinegar. By the second time it turned the galvanized dull. And I was just cleaning with it. GC

 

[imnukensc]

There are several companies that make blue dyes for controlling algae growth in ponds, etc. Might be able to use plain old blue food coloring to do the same thing.