Some conflicting info from the Finch information centre.

[finchbob]

http://www.finchinfo.com/general/mainta ... inches.php

It says:

Provide fresh, drinkable water daily (do not add antibiotics, vitamins, or disinfectants to the water)

What about Avigold? I was advised by a breeder to put avigold drops into all my finches drinking water, because it not only adds vitamins, but also sanatizes the water. He had over 1000 finches, must have been over £10,000 worth of birds there, and he uses avigold for all of them, so it seems like he is pretty experienced.

[L in Ontario]

I've heard some people say not to add anything to the water as it forces the bird to consume it.

[finchbob]

This breeder told me you should never give them tapwater as it contains all kinds of things that were added to it that were never meant for finches. Avigold sanitizes it for them and adds some vitamins.

[L in Ontario]

Well there you go - I always use tapwater and I add vitamins or other supplements to the water peiodically.

Everyone has to do what works best for them (and their fids).

[lovemyfinch]

I can't use tap water because I have a well, and water can be different from day to day. Also our water contains a lot of manganese, so we buy our drinking water, my birds are a little spoiled I guess because they also drink "Amaro" spring well water.

I just discovered within the last 2 days however, that if I put their vitamins and such on their sprouted seeds they are getting what I give them, because the dish is always empty within an hour.

[CandoAviary]

There are things in tap water that were never meant for humans either Chlorine(sanatizes), flouride,etc. Tap water is fine for our pets though in my opinion.
I do not use a water cleanser, but I do replace the water daily..in all waterers and all baths. I do place vitamins in the water twice monthly just in case they are lacking something from thier diets. Too much of some vitamins can be very harmful for birds,
not all are water soluble and can not be passed from the body quickly.
Maybe the breeder you got them from does not change the water as often and maybe with that many birds, they don't get fresh foods, greens, fruits, etc. Many breeders will take shortcuts with chemical additives and synthetic vitamins. In the long run these are not always the best way to go. Large breeders usually sell their stock young so logevity of life is not the focus...but production.

[dfcauley]

I had always used tap water until a few weeks ago. I added Sparkle to the water. Now I boil all water before giving it to my birds.

[Domenic]

I give my birds unsupplement Reverse Osmosis water, and I myself only drink distilled water. Like Candace said, Flouride and Chlorine are added to our water and I would just rather not drink them then risk my health.