Guest monkeynuts71 Posted March 25, 2009 Report Posted March 25, 2009 i am away on holiday next week and a non fancier is looking after the birds. ive just started up and have a few old birds and a couple of youngbirds. As i want them to have clean water every day i need to make it as easy as possible for him and getting to water where the loft is is not the easiest, so i was wondering if it is ok to get and fill a water butt to last him the 2 weeks im away and put next to the loft? is it ok or will there be a problem with the water lasting 2 weeks? or will it taint it or problems with chemicals in the plastic or will it be fine? would putting milton in the water make any difference to help keep bugs away? it will be out of direct sunlight. thanks :-/
LnK Posted March 25, 2009 Report Posted March 25, 2009 How many birds have you got, I have 5 3litre bottles that I fill up, I give the birds 2 litres a day and they last me 7days with 20 birds, easier than a water butt and much fresher. you could fill them up and leave them sealed in you loft.
Guest Owen Posted March 25, 2009 Report Posted March 25, 2009 If you decide to use a water butt there are some things you could do to help. Lid on the bin. A seperate dipper or tap to prevent contamination. If it's a dipper, fix a hook on it and hang it inside the bin. Obviously, start with clean drinkers and a clean water butt. A major benefit in useing a water butt is that the chlorine will evaperate off. It would be better out of direct sunlight but remember that the algae that would generate shows that the water is healthy. I would not use Milton in the butt, too severe for sustained periods, just make sure the bin and drinkers start clean. HAVE A NICE HOLIDAY AND FORGET ABOUT THE PIGEONS.
traynor Posted March 25, 2009 Report Posted March 25, 2009 if he's good friend of yours couldnt you leave him a spare key and he could just use the water out of the tap
Guest monkeynuts71 Posted March 25, 2009 Report Posted March 25, 2009 it would be a new water butt if i get one, ive only had the loft about a month and all the drinkers were new and are cleaned every day. i have about 20 birds so doesnt take alot. my loft is at my inlaws and they are away aswell and they had their house broken into last year and a lot of stuff stolen so im not sure they would want me to give him a key as the house is now alarmed.it would have a lid and a tap and be out of direct sunlight. ive got a week to think of something
Guest Taylors Choice Posted March 25, 2009 Report Posted March 25, 2009 You might find something usefull here if you would like to take a look http://horticulture.taylorschoice.co.uk/categories/water_butts.php?startpos=0
Peckedhen Posted March 25, 2009 Report Posted March 25, 2009 Get a plumber to fit an outside tap for you...it will make life easier all round....for the non fancier and for yourself .
Roland Posted March 25, 2009 Report Posted March 25, 2009 Too long I'd say. Use to be a time when many fancier only used the Water Butt' for watering... I once had a set up where the Water and feed was inside - well the front was a little out side of the Front upright. This but an outside lid that anyone could feed and water with out going into the loft. Water containe had a plug, where the pipe ran outside. Bit late for that I guess. So I'd let in have a key or whatever and fed and water every 2 - 3 days. So you wouldn't e harming the birds guts every day with tap water .... killing Good Gut bacteria. JMO. I'd say your missis is the one not too happy giving a key out. Many women folk are like that.
Blue Chequer Pied Posted March 25, 2009 Report Posted March 25, 2009 Go to the supermarket and buy the budget bottled water. Most are arod 30-40p for a 2 litre bottle and you will have no freshness problems. If you are feeling flush you could but the Perrier ;D Paul.
ALF Posted March 25, 2009 Report Posted March 25, 2009 i am away on holiday next week and a non fancier is looking after the birds. ive just started up and have a few old birds and a couple of youngbirds. As i want them to have clean water every day i need to make it as easy as possible for him and getting to water where the loft is is not the easiest, so i was wondering if it is ok to get and fill a water butt to last him the 2 weeks im away and put next to the loft? is it ok or will there be a problem with the water lasting 2 weeks? or will it taint it or problems with chemicals in the plastic or will it be fine? would putting milton in the water make any difference to help keep bugs away? it will be out of direct sunlight. thanks :-/ In a word yes as i do it every year when i am going on holiday around the end of september time when i make sure i have enough water in drums for my mate so he does'nt have to get water for me as the nearest supply is nearly 250 yds away Just make sure that no sunlight can get to the water barrels..
blaz Posted March 25, 2009 Report Posted March 25, 2009 Go to the supermarket and buy the budget bottled water. Most are arod 30-40p for a 2 litre bottle and you will have no freshness problems. If you are feeling flush you could but the Perrier ;D Paul. for the price of the water is it not worth it compared to the worry on holiday you will get. wondering if your birds have fresh clean drinking water. have a good one
Roland Posted March 25, 2009 Report Posted March 25, 2009 Think you're be suprised what is in them so called fresh / clean waters that supermarket sell. Wouldn't hurt none for folks to do a search on google com to that and just what is in them. :-/
Guest joshdonlan Posted March 25, 2009 Report Posted March 25, 2009 get some 2 litre coke bottles and fill them and leave them in the loft, if you can get about 10 and a carrier maybe he could fill them up when they run out.
REDCHEQHEN Posted March 28, 2009 Report Posted March 28, 2009 get some 2 litre coke bottles and fill them and leave them in the loft, if you can get about 10 and a carrier maybe he could fill them up when they run out. I use the polythene / plastic 4 pint milk bottles - even though I'm behind the house and have an outside tap - I like the water to stand over night
OLDYELLOW Posted March 28, 2009 Report Posted March 28, 2009 Get a plumber to fit an outside tap for you...it will make life easier all round....for the non fancier and for yourself . was going to suggest that as i have one very handy and fresh water every time your away
ALF Posted March 28, 2009 Report Posted March 28, 2009 I can get 8ltr and 15 ltr drums (approx ) out the work that have only had syrup essence in them and after a wash out and soaked overnight with some milton in them make excellent water containers I've got them for quite a few guys in the club aswell
Hogni Posted March 28, 2009 Report Posted March 28, 2009 it would be a new water butt if i get one, ive only had the loft about a month and all the drinkers were new and are cleaned every day. i have about 20 birds so doesnt take alot. my loft is at my inlaws and they are away aswell and they had their house broken into last year and a lot of stuff stolen so im not sure they would want me to give him a key as the house is now alarmed.it would have a lid and a tap and be out of direct sunlight. ive got a week to think of something Just wanted to ask why you would do that, clean the drinkers every day?
Guest monkeynuts71 Posted March 29, 2009 Report Posted March 29, 2009 doesnt everybody? i use a long handled scrubbing brush and scrub the insides before i refill it. the loft is about 100 yards from the house so would take a fair bit of pipe to get a tap down to the loft. maybe in time
Guest Denny Posted April 1, 2009 Report Posted April 1, 2009 I was thinking of putting a waterbutt next to my loft to give the birds rain water, thought that it would be ok because the water would be 'au natural' so to speak. After reading this post is this a no no?
Guest Grasshopper Lofts Posted April 1, 2009 Report Posted April 1, 2009 I was thinking of putting a waterbutt next to my loft to give the birds rain water, thought that it would be ok because the water would be 'au natural' so to speak. After reading this post is this a no no? I was gonna do the same thing but was advised there are many little beasties that will live and breed in it, any rubbish in the gutters will end up in the butt,
REDCHEQHEN Posted April 1, 2009 Report Posted April 1, 2009 We have a water butt in the garden - we water the garden and hanging baskets with it - thats all its fit for - you want to see the 'creatures' swimming about in the water - the water comes off the roof and gutters - so even if they're scrupulously clean - there will still be 'undesirables' in it as wild birds aren't bothered where they drop their droppings
OLDYELLOW Posted April 1, 2009 Report Posted April 1, 2009 water flea and mosquito lava and midge lava love standing water
REDCHEQHEN Posted April 1, 2009 Report Posted April 1, 2009 water flea and mosquito lava and midge lava love standing water little red 'worms' in the water butt darting about - don't know what they're from but probably one of what you have mentioned
jimmy white Posted April 1, 2009 Report Posted April 1, 2009 i am away on holiday next week and a non fancier is looking after the birds. ive just started up and have a few old birds and a couple of youngbirds. As i want them to have clean water every day i need to make it as easy as possible for him and getting to water where the loft is is not the easiest, so i was wondering if it is ok to get and fill a water butt to last him the 2 weeks im away and put next to the loft? is it ok or will there be a problem with the water lasting 2 weeks? or will it taint it or problems with chemicals in the plastic or will it be fine? would putting milton in the water make any difference to help keep bugs away? it will be out of direct sunlight. thanks :-/ if it were me, i would use a sealed water butt [a 5 gall drum ] with some aquas iodine added , i think the 20 birds would be fine if the neigbour changed it each day,, , milton would also purify the water [see directions on the milton bottle i.e water for campers etc] this would only act to purify the water , to begin with,, but would be ok if kept sealed and out of sun light,,,,,,,, enjoy your holiday , the birds will be ok ;D
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