Fantastic Finch Waterers At Last!!

[annague]

I've not been happy at all with the tube-style bird waterers most people like to use... The ones with little channels that go through the bars. I switched to them after using the ball-valve drinkers but
the water is ALWAYS slimy and disgusting and oftentimes stinks if you are brave enough to get your nose close to it. Also they are a pain to clean properly, that channel is obnoxiously narrow.

I much prefer the ball-valve drinkers for cleanliness but was unhappy with how difficult it was to keep them working and the fact that many of them drip out or leak. They have to be upright and the lid seals have to be good and tight so this problem doesn't occur. Also, the lids were a pain to screw on.

I now have 2 styles of waterers (both relatively new from Lixit) that I have tried out for several weeks. So far, I am very happpy with them -- my birds are well watered and the water is staying fairly clear and clean (cleaner than the tube-style waterers).

I am enclosing pictures of these waterers in case anyone else is looking and may want to try something new.

The glass ones are pretty large because I have large cages/aviary and lots of birds using them. I believe they come in smaller sizes too. They have a rubber stopper instead of a screw-on lid (non-toxic since it is made for birds); their holder is a pain to attach -- you need a wrench and a screwdriver -- but once attached holds the bottles perfectly upright. They are a breeze to clean and fill. But, they are a bit expensive. Still I think it was worth the expense for the convenience and peace of mind they've given me so count me happy!

The smaller ones are plastic and I use them for individual bird cages -- they need a screwdriver to attach the holder and you have to be careful about what size you order to make sure it will fit your cage but I love these too!! They have a red ball valve that seems to catch the birds attention, a large opening that is easy to clean and re-fill and they stay in position once you get them there so no worries about the birds having water.

I will attach pictures and more info in my next post ( have a hungry 13 year old and must make something to eat right now).

[L in Ontario]

Thanks for the info Anna. Can't wait for pics and a place to order them from.

[annague]

You'll love them, Liz!

I'm back now. First the information on the Glass Lixit Waterer:

Lixit Glass Bird Water Bottle 16 oz
7/16 inch Tube (fits most all 1/2" and smaller bar spacing)
ID#GB16M
Sold by: GlobalPets.com
$15.24 each

(This is the cheapest I've found them -- someone else may do better). I actually ordered through Amazon but the vendor was GlobalPets.

The smaller drinker (individual cage size for most people) I ordered from Petco.com:

Lixit Bird Bottle
5 oz.
SKU: 44598
$7.99 (they are having a sale on these right now for $6.39 but I also got some from them for $5.99 ea.)

I am attaching pictures of the large drinker first. In my next post I will attach pictures of the smaller, plastic drinker.

[annague]

Now for pictures of the smaller drinker -- be very careful to order the size that will fit between the bars of your cage(s) -- the drinker top snaps into place between bars to hold it upright so it's very important! (I goofed on measuring a couple of cages and had to use wire to keep my drinkers upright. )

These are a (very) little trouble to install since you must measure and use a screwdriver but they are worth it because you can just forget about your water worries afterwards. BEST OF ALL -- BOTH THESE DRINKERS ARE A BREEZE TO REMOVE, REPLACE AND REFILL!!

All of my birds learned to use these VERY quickly. I even did a comparison and put the tube style next to these ball-valve drinkers to see which ones the birds would pick and they went for the ball-valve drinkers EVERYTIME once they knew how to use them. I think the water definitely tastes better to them.

[Ursula]

I switched to them after using the ball-valve drinkers but
the water is ALWAYS slimy and disgusting and oftentimes stinks if you are brave enough to get your nose close to it.

How often do you change the water??
I change the water in all of the tube waterer and water dishes daily (except in the fountain) and they never smell. I believe the "slime" is bacteria that accumulates. Since I thoroughl clean the water dishes only in the weekend (daily I only replace the water without scrubbing) I have a thin film of that too sometimes, but it never(!) smells...

[ac12]

I change my water daily or every other day, but like Anna I get slime on the inside of my tubes, although they never SMELLED. I figured the slime was somehow from the ACV that I use (1 drop ACV : 1 oz of water). I use a small brush and brush the inside of the tubes every few days, or when I feel anything when I run my fingers on the inside of the tube.

[annague]

Ursula, it depends on the waterer -- I give all my birds Spring Water so the water is very pure to begin with. The slime is actually saliva from the birds -- not bacteria.

Lucky you if yours has never smelled -- I have smelled mine closely and they stink sometimes even after a day of use. Or maybe I just have a finicky nose.

This post is just if you are unhappy with your waterers and want to find something you like. If you like yours youre' done.

[albert]

Hi Anna,

This is how I hang the bottle, the tube end is free end, only the bottle is attached to the black plastic piece.

I have had this for about 6-7 years with only 1 accident when my wife helped me change the water. The red ball did not get all the way down to the end and the birds could not get water out of the tube.

All of my birds are on this type of drinker.

[Ursula]

This post is just if you are unhappy with your waterers and want to find something you like. If you like yours youre' done.

#

[annague]

Albert, I am so happy you shared how long you've had yours and that you are still using them -- I love their simplicity and ease of use.

[Ursula]

Albert, i'm just curious: What exactly is the difference between these bottles and the "normal" waterers with the ball valve? Seems like this one has a ball valve as well that can get stuck occasionally.


@annague: Sorry, but after my first anger dissipated I realized that nobody on this forum can tell any other member that he/she "is done". If I want to ask questions or post comments I have a right to, unless they are offensive (which mine wasn't as far I know), and unless there is some forum rule somewhere that says certain members can't post or comment on certain other member's posts...
We are all here to learn, and if I thought I had a perfect setup in my aviary I wouldn't bother asking questions. And if you don't like my questions you don't need to answer them.

[annague]

And, here we are off subject again.

Ursula, I have no idea what U are talking about. When I said U were "done" I was talking about choosing waterers.

Maybe you should go back and read my post without prejudice.

Albert, I'm not the brightest bulb in the closet when it comes to mechanical things! I'll have to look at my little waterers again and see if mine will install that way too!

[L in Ontario]

I thought Anna was referring to 'everyone' not you in particular, Ursula.

I like my current water dishes and I'm done! I don't need to buy any others but I'm always interested in looking and seeing what others are using.

Let's relax and chat nice - no need to take offense where none is intended.

[annague]

Yes, Liz, I was referring to everyone reading the post when I said "you".

I would also like to know (if anyone is brave enough to post on this thread now ) if you use the ball-valve waterers what sort of problems have you had with them?

Do they stick? (I've had one ball-valve stick once but it was a cheaper drinker and outside with my Diamond Doves so that is a little bit different dynamic).

Have you ever lost a bird due to using a ball-valve waterer?

Albert, I was interested to see you have Lutino and Blue faced & Peales Parrot Finches -- (this may be another post) but do you breed them in cages? Parrot Finches are a great favorite of mine.

[sierranomad]

How often do you change the water??

Albert, i'm just curious: What exactly is the difference between these bottles and the "normal" waterers with the ball valve? Seems like this one has a ball valve as well that can get stuck occasionally.

I have the same questions. If you can fill these and leave them up until they are empty I will buy them.