Does the Penny Trick Work for Michigan Birdbaths?

There is something so calm and relaxing about watching birds in your backyard.

Sometimes they're flying back and forth, grabbing pieces of cut grass or tree debris and taking them back to a nest that they're building.

I also love to drink my coffee early in the morning and listen to them chirp and sing as the world slowly starts to wake up.

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If you want more birds in your yard, a bird feeder is a great idea.

Another thing to consider is getting a birdbath so that they can drink fresh water and clean themselves.

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One problem that can sometimes happen with a birdbath is that the water can get very dirty, and things like algae can form.

I recently heard about an apparent hack that can help keep your birdbath clean.

The Copper Penny Trick For Birdbaths

Country Living suggested that adding a copper penny to a bird bath helps keep it clean.

Apparently, the method involves cleaning your bird bath with soap and water, rinsing it with fresh water, and then placing a penny at the bottom before refilling it.

Copper is a natural algicide, meaning it inhibits the growth of algae when present in water.

While copper can slow down algae growth, it doesn't eliminate the need to clean the bird bath altogether.

You should still empty, scrub, and refill the bird bath with fresh water every couple of days to avoid the nasty buildup of debris and harmful bacteria.

I'm not sure how effective this would be with a modern penny, as they are now primarily made of zinc with a thin copper coating.

But it's worth at least trying to see if it makes a difference and helps keep the water clean so you can see more birds this summer.