1st winter with electric - Water solutions?

[Acre4Me]

My nipples were store bought. I've tried to figure out the problem, but I can't.

Are they horizontal or vertical? We’ve had vertical ones for chicks which leaked. Horizontal ones (I have the parts, but have never used them) use a spring and gasket, it appears, to keep them from leaking. The vertical ones don’t appear to have s gasket and any bit of debris seem to create leaks.

 

[AGirlAndHerChickens03]

Are they horizontal or vertical? We’ve had vertical ones for chicks which leaked. Horizontal ones (I have the parts, but have never used them) use a spring and gasket, it appears, to keep them from leaking. The vertical ones don’t appear to have s gasket and any bit of debris seem to create leaks.

Mine are vertical. They work well outside, but I wouldn't use them inside.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I have the Horizontal they do not usually leak if they do a bird got them in crosswise but it will eventually right itself otherwise use a but of sealer on each one as it is screwed in make sure your whole is the rights size also too large will leak and all our placed evenly on the side usually three to a bucket

 

[JFDJason]

What I have found with the Vertical nipples is that if they leak there is a good chance that you have screwed them in to tight. They should be screwed in to just beginning to be tight. If you over screw them the little gasket will fold and bend or possibly break and that is what the leak is from. It is good to also apply a little plumbers putty or tape to the nipple.

 

[wamtazlady]

If your run is covered I wouldn't put the water inside. That would just add moisture to coop. My chickens won't walk on snow but no matter how cold it is outside, they want to be out. At -22 F they are outside from down to dusk. My run has 3 sides covered with clear vinyl shower curtains.

For my outside waterer I use a 10 gallon plastic semi clear tote, horizontal nipples and a stock tank deicer that is rated for use in plastic. Coldest it has gotten and the water stayed thawed out is the -22. It only needs filled once a week. I'm lucky in having a hose that can be used to fill it.

 

[RumneyRoost]

I ordered a heated 2 gallon bucket with horizontal nipples. It has a lid so I'll just have to pour fresh water in every day or so.

I'll be picking it up on Saturday, but I'm hoping it will be a couple weeks before I really need it.

I also have a raised coop with an attached covered run. Their food and water will be outside.
On the especially cold (-30, -40 days) I'll put their food inside and offer them warm water inside a couple times.