"Should", yes. But that doesn't always mean it does. :D
Try wedging a mealworm or sunflower seed into each nipple so that it's wet when they take the treat. That's a good way to teach them that water is there.
Yes. It's hilarious to see my tall Langshan cockerel fold himself up like a camel to drink from one of the lower waterers -- even though I have one at his height with bricks for the shorter chickens to stand on.
Is there a vacuum-release hole at top above the waterline?
If the lid seals airtight the water can't flow. I made that mistake with my first homemade nipple waterer then realized what I'd done. :D
That little hole makes a big difference.
They may need to be a little bigger to trigger the nipples depending on how stiff said nipples are.
You can mark the water level to see if they're managing to drink when you don't see them doing it.
I find that any time I offer open water my chickens rush for it -- even though they always...
Did your nipple waterer have that vacuum-breaking hole below the rim? They can't get water out from a sealed container against the vacuum.
Mine will, of course, prefer to drink from the filthy pockets of rain that collects in the hollows of the upside down lawn chairs -- but they did that with...
Chickens can be trained to use nipple waterers at any age where they are strong enough to trigger the nipples.
I like horizontal nipple waterers because they are more resistant to freezing and less likely to leak.
This is my newest one, made from a 3-gallon frosting bucket from the bakery...