Why You May Want To Think Twice About The Penny In The Bird Bath Hack

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If you're an avid birder, you've probably heard the advice to put a few pennies in your bird bath. While it may sound like an old wives' tale, copper does help slow the growth of green algae in your bird bath, keeping it cleaner and slime-free for longer. However, because modern-day pennies are no longer made of copper but instead copper-plated zinc, you'll want to rethink putting your loose change in the bird bath. Unlike the copper pennies of the past, these zinc coins could cause zinc toxicosis, which is deadly for birds.

While potential harm to birds is the main reason you should think twice about the penny in the bird bath hack, it is not the only one. Although copper is effective when it comes to algae management, experts warn against relying solely on copper to maintain a clean bath. Even if you are using copper, regular cleanings are still required to give your feathered friends the best experience possible.

If you have pennies minted prior to 1982, odds are these are made of mostly copper and are safe for the bath. However, before you go tossing your coins into the water, be sure to check for rust and give them a good cleaning with vinegar and salt. Don't have any old pennies lying around? Don't worry. You can pick up a Mellbree Bird Bath Copper Disk instead. While the disks certainly cost more than an old penny, they are still an affordable and effective option for those wanting to keep algae at bay. Alternatively, you can source an entire bird bath made of copper, like the Good Directions Polished Copper Bird Bath on Garden Pole.

As noted above, old copper pennies, copper disks, and even full copper bird baths shouldn't be the only cleaning method you rely on. Holly Grant, Project Assistant at the Cornell Bird Lab, tells Country Living, "I know that some people recommend using bird baths made of copper. That's perfectly fine, but just because it's preventing algae doesn't mean it's not also harboring other harmful organisms." Whether you use copper or not, the easiest way to clean your bird bath is to change the water regularly and give it a good scrub. You will find a handful of bird bath cleaning products online, but these aren't really necessary. If you want an easier, more affordable option, use a handy essential to keep your bird bath fresh — hydrogen peroxide.