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We’re just about to get some chickens, and I’m keen to give them rainwater rather than tap, but I’m a little concerned that something is up with my rainwater.

I have a pump that moves any rainwater on my roof to a 6000L holding barrel. This barrel is big and black. While it does sit in sunlight, I was told this was not a concern. I also have an air stone running 24/7 to ensure it doesn’t go stagnant.

Whenever I use the water, the first bit smells – not awful, but not super either – although the smell then dies down. The water itself tends to be a bit murky; however, when I emptied the tank this winter, there was a bit of mud and muck in the bottom, but really, very little.

The water doesn’t seem to be hugely contaminated, but it still has a distinct smell and colour. Can anyone suggest what else I might need to do in my system to ensure this water is OK for the chickens to drink?

M y husband and I moved into his parents’ house when they moved out 2 years ago. They would routinely spray the house for spiders every year. I refuse to do this for multiple reasons, but dang if this house doesn’t have literally thousands of spiders!

I can cobweb the house and they will be back within 24 hours. No joke. I have been doing up a piece of furniture and every day I have to get rid of the cobwebs again. We went away for two days and when we got back the washing line had them. We will mow the lawn and the next morning they will be on the lawn. Etc etc etc

I don’t understand why there is such a high population of them. The house is only 14 years old and my in-laws had no garden. There’s a garden now but the house is kept clean etc (I realise this post makes it sound like an abandoned witches house). My theory is that because it was sprayed so regularly there aren’t enough larger predatory spiders like huntsmen to keep the little spiders in check? Any theories?

My husband is convinced that this is normal and everyone else either sprays routinely or cobwebs obsessively. We are in rural Australia.

This is a native wildflower in my area. It started growing on its own in an area where grass isn’t put down yet and I’m planning on keeping it that way. How should I encourage this growth? I do plan on finding another couple of native wildflowers and scattering them around.