Providing water responsibly
Fresh, clean water is essential for health and wellbeing – and just as important as food, especially in dry or icy weather. However, when providing water for your garden birds via a water drinker or bird bath, hygiene is key as dirty water can be a factor in disease transmission.
Here’s a few top tips on how to keep water containers in hygienic condition for wild birds:
Bird baths
Baths are a great way for garden birds to keep their feathers in good condition. They are also really helpful for hydration.
Uses:
1 - Birdbaths keep feathers clean so that they insulate better against cold and wet weather.
2 – Clean feathers allow flight and maintain waterproofing.
3 – After bathing, birds preen, spreading natural oils from a gland near their tail to ensure that feathers remain water-resistant.
4 – Regular baths remove dirt, mites and other parasites.
5 – Baths help birds to cool down in hot weather.
6 – Baths provide a safe and reliable place to drink.
How to clean them:
1 – Organic material such as leaves and bird droppings can cause bacteria to grow. So, baths or water containers should be emptied daily and disinfected with a 5% bleach solution on a weekly basis.
How to maintain them:
1 – Water should be refreshed daily.
2 – Tap water is the best option as it already contains low levels of chorine.
3 – Keep water shallow – 2 to 5cm is ideal.
How to manage them
1 – Offer several smaller water sources spread around the garden rather than a single large one to reduce crowding.
2 – In freezing conditions, ensure that birds have access to unfrozen water by breaking the ice, or refreshing it once or twice a day.
3 – Place a small, floating ball in the water to prevent it from freezing over completely.
4 – Site near shrubs, but not so close predators can hide.
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Water drinkers
Uses:
1 – Water drinkers are a perfect way to help keep garden birds hydrated.
How to clean them:
1 – Bacteria can grow and proliferate in water, so it is essential that water drinkers should be emptied daily and disinfected with a 5% bleach solution as part of a weekly cleaning rota. Use a feeder brush to get into all areas of the bottle.
How to maintain them:
1 – Water should be refreshed on a daily basis.
2 – Tap water is the best option as it already contains low levels of chorine.
How to manage them
1 – Offer several water drinkers around the garden to help reduce crowding.
2 – In freezing conditions, ensure that birds have access to unfrozen water by refreshing it once or twice a day.
Benefits of providing a water source in gardens
1 – Providing clean water can make your garden a safer environment for wild birds rather than them having to rely on natural sources, particularly in dry weather.
2 – Natural water sources such as streams and puddles can be risky due to predators. A raised or open bird bath in the garden gives birds a better view of danger while they bathe or drink.
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