What feeder/ waterer do you guys use?

Just go with horizontal nipple water system. It doesn't require to hang up high like vertical nipple and can put direct on ground if you see fit. I put my on a wood/cement block so both young and adult can drink easily. It also loose less water in the process. I have both systems so that base on the experience.

I just made a nipple waterer but I don't think my girls are using it .. Any suggestions on how to get them to use it. I want to get rid of my other water but I don't want my hens to get too thirsty.

HeidiLAC said:

I just made a nipple waterer but I don't think my girls are using it .. Any suggestions on how to get them to use it. I want to get rid of my other water but I don't want my hens to get too thirsty.

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Remove all other water sources,tap on the nipple to let some water trickle out,when they see it they will start using it. They won't die of thirst, why would they want to work for a drink if they can easily use the old fountain.

Birds that are in the two, to three week age, should be able to convert to nipples and not look back. Make sure that the nipple is located so that the nipple is even with the base of the neck, or just below eye level. Also make sure that you have a air vent in the top somewhere. Clean water, proper height of nipple, and a simple vent are all one needs to have a success with nipples.



Once I converted, I have not looked back either. It is one of the best inventions for the chicken fancier ever.

Best to you and your birds,

RJ

Edit: I made this 13 nipple water bucket system for my big batch of banty chicks last summer. I find them, horizontal nipples, to be able to adapt to any size and or need I have for them. If you are on the fence regarding this, you should take the plunge and use them. I really do believe you will like them.

yyz0yyz0 said:

I use the vertical nipples in a 5 gal pail.  I keep mine outside the coop and I do see some leakage but since it's outside it's not a problem for me.

For my feeder I also use a 5gal bucket with a trigger for the chickens to activate when they want food.

Love them both, I have a heated version of the waterer for winter.

With 8 birds the two 5gal units can go 2weeks without intervention.  Makes it real easy to take trips away and just ask a neighbor if they want some free eggs while we're gone.

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I'd love to know how you built the feeder with the trigger. Thank you so much!

I had the exact same problem as you about water in the coop. The simple solution is not what what water container you use but don't put water in the coop at all. Instead, put it outside (even in the night). You will see a dramatic decrease in cleaning out the coop.

I use the water feeder from www.farmfowl.com and it's exellent. No hanging up or anything like that. The capacity is around 5L.

I'm breaking the mold here I have no experience with nipple waterers for birds so I can't say either way but they are very popular with the folk here so can't be bad!
As a new chicken owner, my only experience being that of my dad and extended family, I used buckets and gravity waterers, but scrubbing them weekly is a pain in the A and if I didn't the algae built up pretty quick. At that time I couldn't see how a chook could get enough water from a nipple in the hot Australian summer unless they stood there all day, so after some research I went with cup waterers, for me it's the best of both worlds, I do have to rinse out the cup when I fill them but otherwise no cleaning required. I now understand how the nipples work but I'm happy with the cups and my chooks are too so I "don't fix what ain't broke" as they say

(stock image)

I got mine from an Australian company but I've seen them by other people on eBay if you search chicken waterer.
Not the best photo but you can see them in the background just hooked on a bit of fence,


I have more chooks now so will probably upgrade to a bigger water drum with more cups in summer, the PVC pipe is good for small flocks though, these 2 last 2-3 days for 8 chooks in winter

Also since you asked about feeders I'll include a pic of mine. Always have them off the ground somehow or you'll end up wasting half your feed. These ones work fine though I'd love to experiment with other styles if I get the time

I used to use nipple waterers but i don't think that the chickens get enough water
through them and its certainly not a natural way for them to drink. That's just my opinion. I think the nipples are
for the convince of the humans and much less desirable for the animals. Chickens
scoop water into their beaks and tip their head back and swallow. The nipples do not duplicate this natural
drinking behavior in any way, shape or form.

It's all about preference! but the number one thing is to keep what ever you have off the ground. hang your water and feed. i'm still using the same water and feed bin that you get in the starter packs and they work fine as long as you hang them. I notice when theyre not hung, I'm scrubbing the water and i'm going threw 2x much feed.
I'd have to agree with christieB about the nipples giving out enough water when its hot out, but I really like the water cup set up!