Mr Rhode Island Red Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 I haven't been to this board for a while but I do have a question. I have read in a few publications that rainwater collected in a barrel connected to a drainpipe is bad for chickens, no explanation as to why, it is just bad. Does this hold any truth or is it rubbish, I would imagine rainwater and tap water are much the same... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackian Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Mine prefer rain water to tap water and the muddier the better! They have fresh water at least twice a day in this weather and would choose a puddle over tap water every time...I am sure there are little bugs in rain water they enjoy as well.They have come to no harm after 3 years . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
merlina Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 I think the concern is that rainwater washed off roofs etc would contain wild bird droppings which could carry infection (I read that somewhere) Mine also prefer muddy puddles to their nice clean drinkers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 I fill my drinker from the waterbutt regularly and haven't had any problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 The muddier the puddle the better for my lot! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UKMARCH Posted July 27, 2013 Share Posted July 27, 2013 Hi, I imagine it may be because they can cultivate bacteria sometimes when the waterbutt gets hot, sometimes one of mine definitely has a smell to it! Mine definitely prefer rainwater too but I fill a watering can from the hose and let it sit for 24 hours that way the chlorine evaporates I think the chloramines are still present ours (also has a high nitrate content) but they seem to prefer this to fresh straight tap water. When they drink rainwater it is usually fresh and not sitting around so hopefully doesn't have time to get any nasties in if it was not good I expect they would avoid it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
