Help--something in sanitized water bowl

[parrotqueen]

Hey guys, I noticed something strange about my birds' water bowl today. After sanitizing it numerous times today, there is something floating in the water. It's very small, and almost powder-looking. It just floats around in the water and at the top of it. I'm just wondering what it could be and if it is dangerous. If it is dangerous, how do I get rid of it?

I think the bowls are stainless steel, but there isn't really a way for me to tell because I bought the birds with their cage, and their last mother didn't tell me the cage's materials (my fault for not asking). I currently have the water bowl out of the cage right now; I just don't want them drinking dirty water. They won't get dehydrated, as they eat plenty of vegetables.

Also, what is 100% safe to use when sanitizing the bowls?

 

[Chaos_1.0]

I have heard the vinegar is great for sanitizing but you have to be sure to rinse the bowl well. The stuff floating around sounds like it like the bird has just spit in the bowl. My lovebird has the same thing and there is also chunks of pellets in the bottom of the water. There is no way to keep the water 100% clean. I clean my birds in the morning and if they want to mess it up that's their problem. If it is really bad I clean it before I go to bed.

 

[idahogems]

is it powder off their feathers? I know Buddy just has to shake when he near his dish and it will have some powder off of him floating in the bowl, Especially when he is molting and has lots of new feathers coming in.

I clean mine with plain distilled vinegar and then hot water after.

 

[parrotqueen]

I understand that it can be either of the above, but as I said; I sanitized the bowl numerous times and rinsed it numerous times as well. I'll try vinegar.

 

[lzver]

I find stuff in my birds water bowls on almost a daily basis. Senegals and Red-Bellies have a tendency to dip their food in their water and after a feeding their water almost looks like soup. I just clean their water bowls after every feeding.

I wouldn't panic too much about it. Give the bowl a good cleaning and it should be fine.

 

[parrotqueen]

I scrubbed it again (third time today), and the stuff floating in it went down but didn't completely disappear. Dad actually thinks that it has something to do with the water purifier.

 

[DustyDusky]

Dusty likes to dip his food in his water.

It does sown like it could be something to do with the purifier as you said or just Dust from the bird. I know Dusty also likes to shake and scratch when he is molting and near his water dish.

I have heard of purifiers leaving behind residue stuff.

 

[Spiritbird]

Just as a side note vinegar is a good cleaner and I use it but it is not antimicrobial. For that I use GSE otherwise known as grapefruit seed extract. This idea came from many sources such as the wonderful book Parrots for Dummies. I also use GSE in mouthwash for me. It is very safe and effective. You can find it in any health food store or in the vitamin shop.

 

[HRH Di]

It sounds like "dandruf" either from ice - or the water purifier - because the filter needs changed, or from the birds. Max gets that in his water when it's been too long between baths.

 

[parrotqueen]

Thanks everyone for all the help, I think we have it figured out. More than likely, its the water filter.