water for the holidays question

pushrod · « **on:** July 19, 2008, 15:12 »

This year have not got anyone to water the hens while on holiday so have rigged up an old water barrel to a ball valve stopcock in an old plastic container. Very pleased with the result as it only cost a few quid compared to £30+ each for 3 gallon galvanised drinkers.

Anyway question is do you think i should put anything in the water to try and keep it fresh for 20 days or should it be ok for that time? the barrel has a lid so is light proof , but was wondering whether to put a few chlorine tablets in - what do you think?

poultrygeist · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2008, 15:15 »

Think you might not have any live birds when you get back.

poultrygeist · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2008, 15:17 »

Who's collecting the eggs, feeding them and checking they are ok every day ?

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2008, 15:19 »

Ohhhh... pushrod, surely you're not intending to leave them unattended for 3 weeks. Someone will report you to the RSPCA :shock:

pushrod · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2008, 15:45 »

Oh dear :shock:
My old dad will be looking in on them but he is not up to carrying heavy drinkers about. They have a couple of covered mega feeders that take 20 kgs of feed each. They will not get through one in that time. Only 3 hens and a cockerel in a big space behind an electric fence. They have been laying for about 4 weeks plus now and are due to go broody soon so eggs will be left in the hope that they go broody and start to incubate them. Chlorine is in drinking water anyway. They do have back up drinkers in there as well.

Aunt Sally · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2008, 16:04 »

You gave us a fright there pushrod :shock:

Good old dad

poultrygeist · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2008, 16:14 »

Make sure the water container has a secure lid on it to keep out mice, etc.
One of those decomposing for a week or 3 wouldn't be good. :shock:

Rob

babe · « **Reply #7 on:** July 19, 2008, 16:24 »

can you not find a local teen who'd like to earn a few shillings for the summer. i know here they'll do anything for a few bob

too many girls · « **Reply #8 on:** July 19, 2008, 20:09 »

it's a shame you don't live near me pushrod, my kid's would look after them for nothing (me too actually) and enjoy doing so.

pushrod · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2008, 00:20 »

Quote from: "poultrygeist"

Make sure the water container has a secure lid on it to keep out mice, etc.
One of those decomposing for a week or 3 wouldn't be good. :shock:

Rob

Good point, am fairly certain that barrel and secondary drinker are vermin proof, but will leave my dad a net

As far as local teens are concerned i really don't want to let them know the house and garden will be empty for the next couple of weeks.

Boxfanman · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2008, 00:48 »

The water will be fine for that amount of time providin no light is getting to it. Even a chink of light will encourage bugs, and obviously allow them to enter.

pushrod · « **Reply #11 on:** July 20, 2008, 01:56 »

Quote from: "Boxfanman"

The water will be fine for that amount of time providin no light is getting to it. Even a chink of light will encourage bugs, and obviously allow them to enter.

cheers

( that's what i was thinking)

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water for the holidays question

poultrygeist

poultrygeist

poultrygeist

too many girls