Are these waterers with nipples inside cup work to prevent freezing?

[Mamagirl3]

Read here to use nipples not cups so water does not freeze. Would these nipples inside a cup not freeze as well?

 

[Debbie292d]

Never used those because those cups get dirty and nipples alone do not. I'm assuming they'd freeze because where it comes from is frozen. Not sure who told you that nipples don't freeze. They don't "freeze up" so to speak, but if the bucket or bottle they're in are frozen, they can't give any water.

If you have a way to keep the container thawed, then they should work.

 

[RoyalChick]

The water in the cup will freeze before the larger volume of water in the bucket and as @Debbie292d said, the cups will also fill with dirt.
If you stand your bucket on a heated base to prevent it freezing then regular nipples will work fine, but the water in these cups will likely still freeze so they won’t work.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I agree with the other posters. I used the cups when I first started with chickens, they get absolutely disgusting! I just use the nipples now in the winter, the bucket sits on a K&H heated base.

 

[RoyalChick]

I agree with the other posters. I used the cups when I first started with chickens, they get absolutely disgusting! I just use the nipples now in the winter, the bucket sits on a K&H heated base.

I think mine is from H&G.
Important to get one that is rated for use with plastic buckets (so the bucket doesn’t melt). Mine is only 30 watts but does the job fine.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

I think mine is from H&G.
Important to get one that is rated for use with plastic buckets (so the bucket doesn’t melt). Mine is only 30 watts but does the job fine.

https://khpet.com/collections/chicken-warmers-waterers/products/universal-waterer-deicer
This is the one I have, it's 80 watts and works good.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Cups will freeze, vertical nipples will freeze. The difference with horizontal nipples is that more of the actual mechanism sits inside the waterer so assuming you have an appropriate heater or deicer for the waterer, as long as the water stays liquid inside the majority of the mechanism should stay loose enough to work. That said if it gets cold enough and the nipples get wet enough they could still freeze, but they can usually be loosened up without too much force.

 

[Bawkbok]

I'm wondering what the best type of waterer is? We currently have the bucket with these cups and while the chickens seems to like it I have to clean the cups at least 6 times a day every day due to dirt. I have no idea how they get so dirty. It sits on top of a concrete block and the cups are neck high for them so the height is perfect. This is the 8th set of waterers and feeders we are on as I can't seem to find any that satisfies the need of staying clean, keeping bugs out, and ease of use for the birds. What is the favored choice out there?

While it doesn't really get cold for long here in FL, we do go below freezing for a night or two, so I can see where the current set up might be a problem. This will be our first winter with chickens. I appreciate any suggestions or ideas.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm wondering what the best type of waterer is? We currently have the bucket with these cups and while the chickens seems to like it I have to clean the cups at least 6 times a day every day due to dirt. I have no idea how they get so dirty. It sits on top of a concrete block and the cups are neck high for them so the height is perfect. This is the 8th set of waterers and feeders we are on as I can't seem to find any that satisfies the need of staying clean, keeping bugs out, and ease of use for the birds. What is the favored choice out there?

While it doesn't really get cold for long here in FL, we do go below freezing for a night or two, so I can see where the current set up might be a problem. This will be our first winter with chickens. I appreciate any suggestions or ideas.

I'd recommend either horizontal or vertical nipples in a fully opaque waterer kept in the shade, as that helps minimize or even thwart algae growth. Since freezing isn't a major issue for you, you could probably do vertical nipples as chickens find them easier to use though they're best kept out of a coop as they may be more prone to dripping. If they freeze, you can thaw the nipples out with a bit of hot water in a cup. Or use a horizontal nipple waterer with a heated base or added heater and that should stay thawed without issue.

During hot summer spells it'd be recommended to put out an open source of water just to make sure the chickens can easily stay hydrated.

 

[Bawkbok]

Thanks for the response. How do I train them to use the nipples since they've been using the open method forever or do they just figure it out on their own?