The Poultry Keeper

Birdxman · Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 40 Location: Lincolnshire

Hoping someone might be able to help with this?
We bought some small metal Fountain Drinkers from a reputable small holding company for our birds.
We couldnt afford Eltex so went for these as they are a very similar design and their size is ideal. (and cheaper)
We do have a problem though--where the metal is welded together we tend (not from all pots) to get some kind of a black 'gunk' coming out at these joints which I'm certain taints the water.
I have scrubbed the pots a couple of times but it still comes back--has anyone had a similar experience and can you tell me how you cleared it please?
Thank you

Henwife · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 3540 Location: Monmouthshire

So long as you're not putting vinegar in the water, and changing the water regularly, I wouldn't worry.

CP · Posted: Wed Nov 12, 2008 9:24 pm Post subject:

We had one. Chucked it away in the end.

Didn't get any black gunk, but the rust on it was awful....!
Didn't fancy making my girls drink rusty water so out it went. Sad

Wouldn't ever buy another & wouldn't recommend them either.

We used a lot of plastic ones before we got some Eltex galvanised ones & still do as plastic is useful if you put ACV in the water.

I did hear that the Eltex brand isn't as good as it used to be. Sad

Magpie · Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 667 Location: Norfolk

I think Eltex went through a bad patch a few years ago, I have an old one that is brilliant, a couple of 4-5 year old ones that aren't and a few newer ones that are really good again Confused

They also sell them under another brand name - Wolesley, and I think they are made froma lighter gauge metal.

Tim

Birdxman · Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 40 Location: Lincolnshire

Strange as this may sound but since the cold weather has been here the Black 'gunk' hasnt come back.
Im not sure if thats just coincidence or did I scrub them particularly well the last time--I'll keep watch to see.
I am a little concerned that no one else has (seemingly) experienced this black 'gunk' I described--am I doing something wrong-hmmmm-I'm sure im not and it does appear where the welds have been made--maybe something at the weld point interacting with the water or light or even the heat???? (none showing in cold weather)
Sorry--i'm musing now....

Welsh Duck · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2008 3:09 pm Post subject:

I get black slime on the inside of the drinkers now and again. Not sure what it is. I don't lose birds so it doesn't seen to be affecting them in any way. Perhaps its when the water warms it reacts with the galvanise.

A successful bantam breeder who is a friend of mine, gives her bantams open bowls such as dog bowls that can't be tipped over, it seems to keep the water fresher. I do this for my bantams but I stuck to the galvanised drinkers for my large fowl as they drink a lot more.

Whichever way you use, as long as you clean the water recepticles regularly and give them fresh water I would have thought it would be OK

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 2089 Location: norfolk

I have said this before, so forgive me please those who've seen it, I use tile grout buckets such as are frequently thrown away in skips. When cleaned out they make excellent stable water containers and as they are white plastic they are easy to keep clean - not to mention the recycling angle......