Birds and softened water

[jaywhybee]

Is there any difference in giving wild birds 'softened' water rather than the stuff straight out of the hard-water tap? (we live in a very hard water area and use a water-softener)

[Clanad]

None what so ever...

[stanleyman]

Hard water is good to drink, full of minerals, soft and softened water isn't good long term, can cause heart problems and should only be used other than for drinking. How long do you want the birds to live?

[Clanad]

It would be interesting to know the basis for stanleyman's statement. Softened water exchanges sodium ions for the calcium and magnesium ions that causes hard water. One can use potassium rather than salt, although it is somehat more expensive. However, one should keep in mind that, for example, a glass of soft water has only one fifth the sodium of an equal sized glass of milk. Most processed foods contain far more sodium than found in softened water. (Two slices of bread have almost as much sodium as an 8 ounce glass of water). Additionally, many bottled waters sold exclusively for drinking have more sodium than softened water...

[stanleyman]

You have actually answered for me. As someone who has fitted many water softeners the instructions always recommend a separate tap for drinking. We consume far more tap water than milk or bread and it still would be a significant additional source of sodium when we are told to consume less, doesn't taste so good either. Naturally soft water areas are known to have populations with a higher level of heart problems than hard water areas. If there is a choice then why drink softened water, even if there is little harm in the short term?

[stanleyman]

http://www.dwi.gov.uk/pubs/hardness/

[stanleyman]

Try this one then!

[stanleyman]

Would help with the link!

http://www.dwi.gov.uk/consumer/faq/hardness.htm

[gucciman]

the best water for any animal is rain water, especially if your water is treated with any sort of chemicals like ours is in birmingham. we always leave a bowl of tap water for our cats yet they refuse to drink it, preferring to go into the garden and drink from the bird bath. perhaps you could buy a small water butt to store rain and then top up your bird bath as needed.