We only use HN buckets. *(We do use a bowl type waterer for the first few weeks for chicks.) That includes hot summers and freezing winters. Our girls all seem healthy. Pay the rent with a plentiful supply of eggs. Every couple days I top off the bucket. It seems to me that once the girls know the HNs supply water they will drink until they are nourished. Not very scientific, but so far they work for our set up. YMMV.For my 20 week old hens, I have the horizontal nipples on the sides of a five gallon bucket. They know how to use it but I’m not sure they get enough. When I go in and change the water and tap the plungers they go crazy for water. I was thinking about getting the cups, but living in Michigan, they’ll most likely freeze. How do you know if they are getting enough water?