But as it turns out, copper pennies do a pretty good job of keeping algae away for a few days! Pennies made before 1982 contain copper and according to Google, “copper kills algae by binding to it, which damages the algae cells, causing them to leak and die.” I tossed in 10 pennies and waited for the results.
Copper has been used effectively for many years to control algae and fish parasites in freshwater and marine systems. Because copper does not discolor the water, it is a preferred treatment for use in display aquaria.
Adding 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar per gallon of water will help prevent algae from growing in your bird bath.
To keep algae growth from your bird bath drop some pre-1982 copper pennies in. I have what I would call a normal size bird bath & I use 7 pennies. The reason for the pennies being pre-1982 is that before that year, the pennies contained copper, a natural algicide.
A copper bird bath is always a good choice both for its aesthetics as well as its antimicrobial benefits.
However, precious metals, like gold and silver don't harm the bird. It is other metals such as lead, zinc, copper, aluminium and chrome that are toxic to pet and aviary birds. Sources of metal within households are many and varied. In aviaries and cages, galvanized wire can be a source of poisoning.
Yes, you can safely place copper pennies in your bird bath to help prevent algae from growing. However, there is a limit to how many copper pennies you should use. Using too many coins can lead to a high concentration of copper in the water and cause contamination.
For extra hot days, consider adding ice cubes to the bath in the morning hours. Move feeders to shaded areas. Not only will this help birds stay out of the sun while feeding, it can also slow spoilage of food.
If you happen to have a deeper bird bath, you can make it more appealing by adding in a few rocks in the middle or along the edges. This will give birds a place to land so they can splash and preen themselves in the water.
Adding stones to your bird bath will help birds gain a better footing when drinking or bathing. Wild birds tend to bath and drink at a low height, just off the ground or low down to the ground. This is where they would naturally find water so are more comfortable drinking and bathing at this level.
To keep your birdbath fresh, just rinse and scrub it with nine parts water, one part vinegar. Skip the synthetic soaps and cleansers; they can strip the essential oils off of bird feathers. And make sure to refill the water every other day to keep it from bugging up.
Because birds clean themselves and defecate in baths, the water needs to be refreshed and cleaned often. We recommend scrubbing the bowl with hot water and dish detergent such as Dawn.
If you have an algae problem, your best friend is white vinegar. White vinegar can quickly kill algae but is not harmful to birds, insects and the majority of plants. Use a mixture of one part water to one part white vinegar to spray down the area and kill the algae.
Barley straw is a natural way to fight algae. On contact with water, the straw starts to break down, and as it does so it releases peroxides into the water which combat algae. Available in mini bales, or as a concentrated extract of barley straw liquid, it's a natural way of chemically fighting algae.
Temperatures that are lower than 16°C will slow down the growth of algae. Light also has an effect on the growth of algae: it must not be too strong or weak. In most algal growth cultivation, algae only need about 1/10 of direct sunlight. In most water systems, light only penetrates the top 7-10 cm of water.
We recommend using a calcium hypochlorite shock to treat your algae problems. However, green, yellow, and black algae will each require their own level of shock in order to be completely killed and removed from your water.
You Can Help: Choose a bath that is only 1–2 inches deep or add rocks, marbles, or gravel to the bottom of the basin to make it shallower and give birds more secure footing. Adding several sticks over the top of the bath can also discourage birds from getting in the water but will not stop them from drinking.
Some of the reasons include: They prevent birds from slipping or sliding on a slick bird bath basin. They make a great perch for birds that want to clean themselves without being submerged in water. They add extra style and pizzazz to your otherwise attractive birdbath.
A bird bath can be any color you want. Each species is attracted to certain colors typically as a food source. You can use these colors on your bird bath or, more effectively, in the plants you plant in your bird-friendly garden.
Water that is too hot or cold can shock your bird's system, not to mention causing burns and a host of other serious conditions. Always check the temperature of the water before offering your bird a bath. Many birds prefer their bath water to be lukewarm or room temperature.
Will a Hummingbird Use a Bird Bath? Most backyard birds love to bathe and splash around in a bird bath, hummingbirds included! Although they occasionally stop at a shallow bath for a dip, these tiny birds prefer to wet their feathers by flying through or sitting under a gentle spray.
Bird bath water should be replaced every 2 to 4 days; when refilling a bird bath, dispose of dirty water and wipe the basin out with a rag before introducing clean water. If the basin is still dirty after wiping, it will need to be cleaned.
You can use hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, or distilled vinegar to clean out your concrete bird baths.
To keep algae growth down and your bird bath clean, add 1 capful of apple cider vinegar or 1 teaspoon per gallon of water to the bird bath. The apple cider vinegar also provides vitamins & minerals to the birds.
The Birdbath Isn't in the Right Place
Much like we as humans look for convenient watering holes, birds are looking for easy—and safe—places to wet their beaks and bathe. If your birdbath is out in the open, with no cover or brush nearby, it's too risky a place for birds to use as a rest stop.