Rust Warning

[GivemeSeedsorgivemeFlesh63]

Source No-Leak 10 oz (300 ml) Water Bottle from Belgium

Attached from out side with a two-clasp spring, the Lixit No Leak wataer bottle leave all the space inside Pak-o-Bird to your bird or parrot

www.celltei.com

I bought this water bottle few months ago and I just found rust inside the stainless steel spigot. It has only ever had distilled water in it (except for cleaning). It isn't really visible from the outside, but only from the inside, and can be clearly seen with a flashlight.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

That's a bummer for a $25 water bottle!

 

[GivemeSeedsorgivemeFlesh63]

Especially because she learned how to drink from it almost immediately, so hydration in the carrier wasn't a worry.

 

[Vampiric_Conure58]

Yikes! Thanks for the heads up. That is super scary.

 

[rheashard2]

When I was looking for a safe alternative to water dishes I asked my vet tech. She suggested a water bottle similar to this. She said avoid plastic bottle system. Her reasoning was cheaper material used for spigot. I never thought about rust. My concern was beak destruction. For the cost this is a not good.

 

[GivemeSeedsorgivemeFlesh63]

It was expensive, but more than the cost, I am worried about Juliette having been exposed to toxic rust, and other birds that might be exposed as well.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

Of course! Was just saying you can't even trust expensive.

 

[Pickle's Mom]

Source No-Leak 10 oz (300 ml) Water Bottle from Belgium

Attached from out side with a two-clasp spring, the Lixit No Leak wataer bottle leave all the space inside Pak-o-Bird to your bird or parrot

www.celltei.com

I bought this water bottle few months ago and I just found rust inside the stainless steel spigot. It has only ever had distilled water in it. It isn't really visible from the outside, but only from the inside, and can be clearly seen with a flashlight.

Thanks for sharing that info. It was something we were considering for Piccolo's pak.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I use lsrge open dishes of water in my birds cages and clean then every day. I know some people use water bottles instead. To some who uses bottles- how often do you empty, rinse, and put fresh water in the bottle?

 

[rheashard2]

I use a glass quart water bottle. Tried smaller. But out of cage time equals let's drop water bottle on floor time. The extra weight decreases success. Not attempts just success. I fill with about 4-6 ounces of water. I empty and wash in hot soapy water every 3 days or less. I concentrate on spigot. Nameliss uses it as a shower. So water very rarely lasts more then 3 days. When she's molting, I'm lucky for a day. I have an 8 ounce glass bottle for travel. Cleaning the spigot can be a pain. I check ball for scratches which can lead to leaks. Yes, it's happened more then a few times.

 

[GivemeSeedsorgivemeFlesh63]

I just clean with vinegar like normal, and then flush thoroughly. It was primarily for travel, although when I was introducing it to her I put it on her cage above her water bowl.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

So water bottles don't need to be washed out daily?

 

[GivemeSeedsorgivemeFlesh63]

Where did you get the glass bottle with the spigot?

 

[Vampiric_Conure58]

I generally pull out my water bottles once a week, or when they get dingy, whichever comes first. I give them a good scrub with a bottle brush and a squirt of dish soap. Then I replace them. Saves me from filling the water dishes every day.

 

[rheashard2]

Where did you get the glass bottle with the spigot?

PetSmart. It was with doggie crates. FYI: large reptiles, minks etc have similar.

 

[GivemeSeedsorgivemeFlesh63]

I checked Juliette's stainless steel bowls. They rusted under the rim.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I use large plastic locking bowls for water and food. I rinse them thoroughly every day and make sure that slimy biofilm doesn't form and run them through the dishwasher a couple times a week.

 

[rheashard2]

My CAG has damaged or destroyed plastic 'large parrot' resistant bowls. She puts deep scratches that I worry about bacteria etc. The scores are too deep to guarantee clean. Stainless steel for chop and treat use. It's frustrating because I expect it to be rust proof when in fact it's rust resistant. I wish that it was the former.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

My budgies obviously can't damage plastic bowls but a big parrot's beak is a powerful tool so I'm not too surprised. I would think that stainless rust resistant bowls would be fine if they were washed daily. It's the stainless rings that hold them that I'd worry more about. It would be very inconvenient to have to unscrew and wash and dry them every day.

My question is whether a tiny bit of rust is harmful to birds. Isn't it just oxidized iron? I just looked the subject up online and rust is not toxic. The only danger of small amounts of surface rust is bacteria that can grow on a rusted surfac If what I read is correct (many sources say the same thing) why is everyone so worried about their birds living in a cage with a bit of rust or eating and drinking from bowls that have traces of rust?

 

[GivemeSeedsorgivemeFlesh63]

I use large plastic locking bowls for water and food. I rinse them thoroughly every day and make sure that slimy biofilm doesn't form and run them through the dishwasher a couple times a week.

I found these: https://www.mysafebirdstore.com/product.cgi?group=13789&product=20042
I know they are made well because I already had one that Juliette uses for her water. So I bit the bullet and bought two more for her dry and wet food.