thirsty lil birds...

[AlexinCanada]

One morning, after filling my finches 'swimming pool' with tapwater, I proceeded to fill their drinking bottle with the same; then it occurred to me - Should I be using filtered water?

I'm not sure what the chlorine/fluorine levels are in our tapwater - seems fit enough for humans to drink, but my crew of finches are tiny - am I slowly poisoning my birds? or do they actually need some of this in their system? (I'm not a chemist or doctor).

Filtering the tapwater is not a problem as I have one of those Zero water filtering systems.
Anybody with a medical background out there who could steer me down the right road?

Thanks so very much for your help!

[Sally]

Some people do use only filtered water for their finches. I have been using tap water for mine without problem, but I have pretty decent tap water, I drink it myself. When I hand feed babies, I do use filtered water then, simply because their little systems are still so delicate.

[lovezebs]

AlexinCanada

Welcome fellow Canadian.

I personally use tap water for all of my birdlings, and they do well. We drink it ourselves. However if you have filtered water that is readily available, go for it. Less chemicals or what not whuch they add to our drinking water, will probably be healthier in the long run.

Good luck, and let us know what kind of birds you have.

Elana

[AlexinCanada]

Thanks Sally, Thanks Elana.

[dunker817]

Me and my dogs drink tap water. The birds get Walmart brand drinking water in their tubes and pond. I buy it by the gallon which lasts me about a week. Using filtered water should be just fine.

[wildbird]

Chlorine or flouride would not be good for your birds. Bottled spring water or a filter that removes all chemicals would be better.

[Smurf]

I run the water through a Brita filter jug before giving it to birds, mainly because the tap water locally is very hard.