Copper Chicken for Poultry Drinkers

A simple, traditional material with a practical purpose in the chicken run.

This little Copper Chicken is designed to sit submerged in your poultry drinker and help reduce the build-up of green algae and residue on the inside of the trough.

Copper has long been used in domestic water pipes that carry drinking water, and its ability to affect the growth of certain microorganisms is well documented. You will often see gardeners place old copper coins in their bird baths for this reason. The idea behind the Copper Chicken is to put some of those properties to use in the chicken run, in a simple, reusable form. 

Each chicken is a flat piece of copper measuring 75mm by 70mm. Just place it in the drinking trough and leave it submerged in the water.  Each Copper Chicken will come with printed instructions.

A few things to remember

The copper, shiny when purchased, will start to go darker as it is handled and exposed to the elements.  This does not effect its function.

The Copper Chicken is intended to help manage green build-up, not to replace normal drinker maintenance. Keep your chickens supplied with fresh water and continue to clean the trough regularly.

Temporarily remove your Copper Chicken from the chicken’s water if you add supplements, for example white wine vinegar, as this can change the natural chemistry of water.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Copper Chicken designed to do?

It is designed to help reduce the green build-up that can develop inside chicken drinking troughs. Copper has properties that can affect certain microorganisms, results will depend on the conditions.

How do I use it?

Simply place the Copper Chicken in your poultry drinker, making sure it remains submerged and does not obstruct the drinker's normal operation.

Will it stop green algae completely?

It is intended to help manage green build-up, but it cannot guarantee that algae or slime will not develop. Sunlight, temperature and water conditions can all play a part.

Do I still need to clean my chicken drinker?

Yes. Continue to change the water regularly and clean the drinker as normal. The Copper Chicken is intended as an aid to water-trough maintenance, not a replacement for cleaning.

Why use copper?

Copper is widely used in domestic water pipework and is known to affect certain microorganisms. The Copper Chicken offers a simple way to introduce copper into your poultry drinker, although its effectiveness has not yet been independently tested.

For more information, please see the Copper Chicken blog post.