I start all my chicks out with vertical nipples in a small pail. Yep, they do tend to drip when the chicks drink or if they bump into the nipples with their backs. But to me it's far easier to scoop out a little damp bedding directly under the nipples than it is to strip and clean an entire brooder! The water doesn't have to be changed often because nothing gets into it - no bedding, no poop, no bits of food.....just fresh clean water every time they get a drink. After a few days when I know they are confident in how to trip the mechanism, I take the pail out, clean it and put it away for the next batch of chicks, and switch them to a waterer with horizontal nipples. That's what they'll have in the coop so they might as well get used to it!
Vertical nipples are available at most Tractor Supply or other feeds stores. Horizontal ones you usually have to order.
Using their vertical nipple waterer.
Drinking of the Big Girls' waterer. Very familiar with the nipple system. I integrate my chicks into the adult flock by 4 weeks old, so it helps that they know how to do everything already.
Vertical nipples are available at most Tractor Supply or other feeds stores. Horizontal ones you usually have to order.
Using their vertical nipple waterer.
Drinking of the Big Girls' waterer. Very familiar with the nipple system. I integrate my chicks into the adult flock by 4 weeks old, so it helps that they know how to do everything already.
