best practices for water drinkers

[wellingtoncdm]

Another way to keep waterers clean is to add grapefruit seed extract to the water. It cuts down on the slime and film and helps fight off yeast, bacteria and parasites.

[henrietta]

Wow thanks for all the great info, I didn't know any of this. I have been just rinsing off the water tube, refilling it, and putting it right back in for months. I guess that sounds disgusting when you think about it lol I just gave it a good soak and scrub :]

And having multiple water tubes sounds like a good idea that way you can accumulate a few dirty ones and wash them all at once when you have time. Is there any other reason why it's a good idea to rotate them?

[Fit Bird]

Does anyone use the Lixit water bottles. Gravity waterer

[Sally]

I have not used the Lixit bottles, but I did use another brand called Water Buddy (no longer manufactured I believe). I loved it, because the water stayed perfectly clean, no hulls, poop, or feathers in the water. However, I found one time that a Gouldian almost died because he just couldn't figure out how to use the Water Buddy (I thought I had seen all of them use it). So you have to make absolutely sure that every bird will use it. Also, some of the gravity-type waterers will develop a leak and all the water drain out.

[paul-inAZ]

Hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant used by hospitals and in dilute form is an antibacterial mouthwash. Kills bugs and slime.
Available at the dollar stores so it is cheap.