Any other bird keepers here?

[Shep]

Just wanted to get some advice on birds and fluoride in the water. They've just put it in the water supply locally and I've been a little bit worried if its dangerous for my tiel. I've tried looking for some info online about it but couldnt find much specific to birds and tap water.

Is there anyone here that has birds where the water is already fluoridated? I know its a problem for some fish keepers. And incase you wonder why I'm asking here and not elsewhere its because i know this place is full of genuinely smart & rational people. Haha no seriously I just figured I might get a better educated and more experienced answer here than at a bird forum where alot of the members are juniors and also from others in oz instead of overseas

[renormalised (Carl)]

I'd be careful...fluoride is a cumulative poison and in the amounts they dose the water for humans, it maybe too much for little birdie. If you're going to use it, I would have it filtered first. Might also pay to ask a vet for some advice as they would know whether there's any problems associated with fluoride and birds.

[michaellxv (Michael)]

I don't have birds any more but I never noticed any problems from the water. Nothing exotic though, budgies and finches.

We've had flouride in our water for as long as I can remember.

Does the flouride evaporate like the chlorine does once exposed to air?

[renormalised (Carl)]

Originally Posted by michaellxv

Does the flouride evaporate like the chlorine does once exposed to air?

If it was in the concentrations you get when you stick chlorine in pools or in your washing (for bleach), no. It forms a whitish powder residue. In the concentrations it's diluted to in your drinking water, you wouldn't notice it if all the water evaporated.

[Shep]

Great advice! I rang the vet (why didnt I think of that!) and they said they hadnt heard of any problems in the other States. I think you've hit a good point Carl about it being cumulative though it would be hard to tell if its shortening life spans unless there is an obvious fluorosis, i guess you wouldnt know without a bird autopsy. I do remember staying in NSW for a while about 10 years ago and looking after someones avery while i was there and all the birds seemed fine and healthy with the tap water there too so it is a relief to hear you (Michael) say that your birds were all fine.

[JimmyH155]

Could you perhaps buy a small water tank and hook it up to your house or shed roof??? Then you would have beautiful pure rain water. I had just such a tank off my shed roof - 50 gallons and supplied all our drinking water.
Having lived in far north Weipa for years, with its perfect water, when we moved to Bris and town water, our eyes used to water, from the effect of chlorine - just standing at the sink
Hence the water tank.

[xstream (John)]

Hi Sarah,

I used to breed Major's, Hooded's, Ecce's, Red and Yellow tailed blacks and numerous others for years in Melb. then in Albury/Wodonga.
Melbourne's supply was fluoridated and I had never noticed any ill effects to my aviaries because of it, I know some of the birds I had are still breeding and I've been out of it for approx. 15 years.
If you're really that concerned there is always the option of filtering and sterilizing before.

[Shep]

Thanks, I am concerned but if the word is that its ok than i'm pretty happy to leave things how they. Not really keen to fork out the $400 bucks for a filter (because of course to get the fluoride out means they cost quadripple the other filters!) if its not neccessary. Theres still alot of scare mongering and resistence to it being put in the water here, personally i'd rather just stick the stuff on my teeth than drink it and shower in it but thought i'd better ask anyway just to check for little birdies sake. Wouldnt want anything bad happening to the little fellow.

Great idea about rain water btw, do you know how long it would be ok to keep it before it goes stagnant? Its raining here at the moment so I'll collect some

[JimmyH155]

It shouldn't ever go stagnant, Shep!
Those water tanks are all enclosed, so light and mozzies cant get in. We never had any trouble with ours. Those large tanks you see on farm houses etc, are probably scores of years old and never flushed out!!
You can always flush it out say once a year (on a rainy day) to make sure.

I kept Birds & Marine tropical fish for 8 years and never had a problem. Both Birds & fish breed well ( not with each other) & I was born in Melbourne. Your birds will be fine.

[GrahamL]

cute tiel , we have four.

[AstralTraveller (David)]

Our budgie reach 12 years old on fluorinated water. And it had a nice strong beak with no cavities.

[Shep]

Originally Posted by AstralTraveller

And it had a nice strong beak with no cavities.

Nice one

Ok so pretty safe to say my fears have been alleviated...phew!!!! Still dont think its good to drink but at least I dont feel like he's going to croak on it

Thanks everyone, all your replies have been greatly appreciated