[D.Bates]

Hi

Been thinking about various ways to supply water into chicken run. Have looked at all standard type drinkers. I like the idea of having drinkers fed from large water butt, water level controlled by ball valve set up and may well opt for this type, however I have been wondering whether it is OK to supply drinking water from a rainwater source. Can anyone give advice on this subject.

D.Bates

[Viv]

Would you drink it? if so then it should be fine for the hens

[poultrygeist]

I was thinking about this yesterday strangely enough.

Only thing I can think of is if the rainwater is running off a roof with bird droppings on, it may contain nasties.

Don't know but just a thought with H5N1, parasites, etc.

Rob

[muntjac]

if u have access top a hose use that  and the ball cock set up.u can use an old water tank from the attic just cut it down to about 6 inches and refit the piping

[snozzer]

No problem giving them rainwater, but you need to make sure the turn over of water in the butt is sufficient to stop it stagnating.

[D.Bates]

Hi

Would you drink it?  Surely most birds drink rainwater in one way or another. I didn't think the question I had asked would get such a reply. I'm sure the chemical contaminants in our own so called fresh water supply must have a more detrimental effect on our health than rainwater would have on a chickens. Don't misunderstand what I am saying. I would not want to allow any animal looked after by myself to drink any water I thought was contaminated in anyway. I would have thought that some kind of filtering system could be incorporated. Perhaps a similar thing used to filter water for use in fishtanks. I'm sure that some rainwater is bottled and a fancy label placed on the bottle and then sold on to us at extremely high prices.

D.Bates

[henpecked]

If chickens are like any other animals, cats, dogs etc, they often shun fresh (tap) water for rainwater. Presumably because rain water is the natural option.

We found our cat quite dehydrated last week (long story) I put fresh tap water down in a bowl for him, which he refused, then cried until we let him out to drink in the neighbours pond!

[D.Bates]

Hi

Like that idea muntjac. Thanks, may well do that.

D.Bates