Using Aquaponics (AP) water for chicks and ducks

[BernieMac]

Hi!
I am about to setup an aquaponic system next to the chicken run to grow food just for them and my ducks. I was originally just going to go hydro but had an idea...

has anyone made or seen an aquaponic system used for watering chickens and ducks?

My idea would to have pvc pipe along the run and have a few rows of them. The water would come from the fish tank up to the top to water and feed the plants and then naturally fall back down to the fish and start again. So a standard setup. But! What if I had the bottom row of pvc pipe empty with large circles cut out on the top so my girls could dip their beaks in to drink it? In theory, the plants would have taken most of the minerals away and filtered the water. Also, I’ve seen my ducks drink from puddles and I think they prefer that

anyone have any ideas if this would be ok for them to drink from?

 

[Gwethrien]

I’m new to chickens myself and not familiar with hydroponics but it is a very interesting idea.

 

[iwltfum]

I think it's a great idea. I have run a few large scale hydroponic systems before, but never aquaponics. I've watched alot of videos though, so, you know, one of these decades.... Anyway I think this is an excellent idea! Best case, the chickens may even gain some kind of probiotic-like immunity to some potential problems. Cycling water should solve the "dirty water trough" issue and any particles going in to the tank that would otherwise be sitting in the water trough are going back to the fish and plants and algae to be dealt with promptly. Love this type of innovative thinking.