Well Water and Racing

[whitesnmore]

Ok all you seasoned racers out there I need some feedback on any experience you have had with your racers and well water. I am moving out of the city and relocating out of town to get away from the unfair ordinances we are facing here in the metropolitan Chicago area. I will have well water and noticed at my last visit the water has a higher concentration of iron even after the filtration system they installed their. Will this have any negative effect on my racers? What effect if any will it have on breeders, YB's, eggs, etc. I appreciate any experience someone can give.
Ken

[re lee]

I would not think so. You could even use a softener on your water if you like. But If the water tests ok for humans I would think it safe for the birds as well .

[WhiteWingsCa]

In our combine, I'd wager that at least 1/2 of the flyers (80+ lofts) are on well water. Never heard anyone ever claim it was an issue for them. Hasn't been for us.

Just don't run a garden hose out to the loft -- get your water from the house in jugs - fresh each time. There has been flyers who claim that the water from a garden hose that's been sitting in the hose, especially on hot days, can be toxic to the birds. Even running the water for a bit might still be harmful - who knows what leaches out of a hot rubber hose into the water!

[Pigeonpal2002]

I don't have a well but I give my birds well water. A friend of the family's is kind enough to let me go up and take jugs of it home. What he has told me is that well water MUST be tested regularly. You buy a kit that tests the chlorine levels, iron, lead, bacteria etc. This must be kept up though because at anytime there can be a risk of contamination through various means. That said, I drink the well water myself and it's so cool, clear and no after taste whatsoever. My birds also seem to enjoy it very much

[whitesnmore]

Thank you all for the responses. I know the water has been tested and test good for human consumption. Just wondered if the iron would help or harm. I too was raised on well water and except for the occassional twitch and the minor brain damage I seem to be pretty normal Just kidding
Thanks again.
Ken

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Hello Ken,

My guess is that you may in fact be better off with well water, then that "stuff" that comes out of my sink ! There are some, that would say that the various minerals in the water, is good for them !!

[TerriB]

Originally Posted by WhiteWingsCa

...There has been flyers who claim that the water from a garden hose that's been sitting in the hose, especially on hot days, can be toxic to the birds...

The average garden hose does contain enough toxic material (lead, I think) that it's not considered safe for drinking. You can find hoses in the RV section that are safe for drinking water.