Listerine and/or Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)?

[dfcauley]

Well I boil all water. Not sure if that is necessary or makes a difference... but it makes me feel better. I HATE the taste of tap water and only drink bottled water myself (and only Dasani) I know... I am very picky about water.

I then add 1 tsp. of citric acid to the boiled water. Not sure why, but was suggested by someone I trusted. It seems to work well.....

[debbie276]

If I remember right you were having issues with your water right? So glad you were able to come up with a solution that works for you. There's nothing worse then not knowing how to fix a problem.

[Pukasand]

I have a filter on my tap for my water. I also boil it for the water tubes that my birds use. For the bath water, I use just the filtered water. ( and the ACV, about every 3rd day)
I have a small heater that I keep in by the aviary, I placed a pie tin filled with water on top (right near where it says 'do not cover'. It adds moisture to the air and makes the heat 'warmer'.. if that makes sense. Anyway, in just a few days I could not believe the sediment and buildup on the pit tin. And to imagine that's our drinking water.. that's when I started boiling the already filtered water for the birds' tubes.

[cindy]

I forgot to mention, not sure if it is species related or just my pair....my lavenders will not bathe or drink water with ACV in it but dive into the filtered water.

The owls, shaft tails and zebras are not as fussy. Filtered tap water is preferred but the ACV water is fine as well.

[dfcauley]

If I remember right you were having issues with your water right? So glad you were able to come up with a solution that works for you. There's nothing worse then not knowing how to fix a problem.

It wasn't the water per say... but the fountains. Even though I cleaned them and put a little bit of Vikron in it I felt that they were never clean enough. I never knew for sure it was the fountains, but... when I took them down, boiled water and added citric acid everything seem to get better. So problem solved!!!

[Rour]

I have been boiling my finches water before giving it to them to kill off all the bugs and chemicals in it. Our tap water is usually pretty good (smells terribly of chlorine) but for the last month have had to boil all my water since they found giardia in our drinking water!

For a second there, Dayna, I thought you had said that you had been "boiling your finches" lol.

Since we have two extremely large salt water tanks in the house that require filtered water, we have installed a filter. Thats the water I use for my birds!
Roula

[lou]

Judy,
moisture as in humidity? be careful, if poop is left to build up could be a recipe for disaster
lou

[dan78]

Boil water or not to boil is everyones own choice. Now for my two cents. Do I add ACV well yes at times more through summer more than any other season, is it scientifically proven, I don't really care as science changes it mind all the time and what I really care about is how my birds react/cope with what I do and that's how I learn what is working best. Now I will probably get an ear bashing soon but I don't know why everybody is worried so much about having super clean dishes I always leave a little bit of Green algae on the side as this is natures natural water filter, I do clean the water container out properly about every 4 days and fresh water is giiven daily and twice a day in summer(ACV is added to morning lot and fresh at night). The reasons for why i leave some algae in the water dish is when birds and I mean all in the wild drink what do they drink from? Most birds don't have access to clean drinking water so they drink from ponds puddles and even swampy marshes and have over time built a natural immunity to alot of these parasitic bugs that live in the water. Now please don't take my comments as this is the right way and should be done as to mimic a natural way, people have to do what is right for our feathered friends and Cindy is correct that all water around the world is different so this won't work for all. So please do what you believe is in the nest interest for your birds.

[cindy]

Dan...it makes sense, especially if the birds live outside. Though here, in my home it won't work...but there is a site I found a long time ago (I have to do some digging) but I thought I saw dried algae, powdered. Algae is basically a plant. Ducks eat algae, you see it on the surface of ponds.

There are certain nutrients in algae
skip to Nutrition

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae

[dfcauley]

GREEN ALGEA!!!!!!! WHAT!!!!! (just kidding)
I have wondered about all the cleanliness myself. I have even commented that the birds in the wild certainly do not get such clean water. But... somehow I don't think I could do that.
I had someone tell me one time that my birds were geting sick because their living conditions were too "sterile."??????

[cindy]

This article is really pretty good in regards to Algae

"Water Quality: Nutrients and Algae"

http://www.krisweb.com/krissheepscot/kr ... rients.htm

Dan, do you see your birds ever eating it? Organic)

We get algae blooms in the Gulf here and it often results in fish kills. Certin algaes are cleared off the tops of our lakes here in my part of Florida. The lakes are covered with a thick layer and it chokes fish. This is seen with warmer weather changes but not very often. The blooms are generally on the surface. In a healthy pond algae grows and benefits fish, ducks and lake life in general.

I think when most people think algae they think "bad" and may associate/confuse it with molds.

To be honest, I could change out cups of water three times a day and still the birds have either bathed, soiled in it or but food in it. I changed to water tubes, it still gets dirty especially if birds are feeding young. Parents often eat, get a drink then feed. I supply water tube and a bowl of water for pairs with chicks. They do get baths.

I do not like adding additives with chemical compounds to the water, the acv I have used off and on. I have been adding it even though the tubes are changed daily or every two days depending on my schedule and how debris free they are.

[lou]

Ever wonder what the life span of a wild finch verses one in captivity in a clean enviroment (sp) I read some where it is around 3-5 years. Don't ask where.
As far as algae goes people grow this stuff so, must be good
lou

[L in Ontario]

I had someone tell me one time that my birds were geting sick because their living conditions were too "sterile."??????

I believe there actually is something to that. If conditions are too clean/sterile - they (like humans) are not able to build up immunities.

Sort of like getting allergy shots. What's in the allergy shot? Exactly what a person is allergic to so they can build up their immunity to it.

[Dayna]

I agree that having conditions to be not completely sanitary is beneficial to a point but I would worry about new birds getting sick and dying off from all the bacteria and everything depending on where they are coming from. For example I know a breeder that keeps their birds in the most sanitary, controlled conditions I have ever heard of. Their cages are always spotless, they are fed a very strict and controlled diet, lighting is all timed, they are left alone in a room without any disturbance, temperature is controlled, and there is even quiet music playing in the background. The birds are all beautiful but when the breeder sells them to people that do not take extreme caution to climatize them and change them over to more "normal" conditions (depending what normal is for you) the birds die very shortly after aquiring them. I guess as has been said everyone does what works for them. I dont normally boil water but because of the water advisory I have been and I sure as heck am not going to give my birds water that I wont drink myself.

[cindy]

And here you thought you were going to get yelled at Dan!!!

I am interested if the birds view it as any type of food source?