Baby Chicks and Nipple Drinker

[MIChickandGuinea]

Can just-hatched chicks drink from a nipple valve waterer? Or do they need to have a trough drinker at first? I hate the trough ones because they get so messy with poop and bedding, and I had a chick drown in one once too ...

 

[DobieLover]

Can just-hatched chicks drink from a nipple valve waterer? Or do they need to have a trough drinker at first? I hate the trough ones because they get so messy with poop and bedding, and I had a chick drown in one once too ...

I trained my chicks to use a vertical nipple waterer and they did just great with it. No more chicks running through, pooping in or tipping over the waterer.

 

[DobieLover]

I trained my chicks to use a vertical nipple waterer and they did just great with it. No more chicks running through, pooping in or tipping over the waterer.

I used this. Forever to be known as the baby bottle.
I suspended it in the brooder and put a series of wood blocks for them to walk up to reach the bottle. I removed blocks as they grew. Alternatively you could obviously raise or lower the bottle. The blocks worked better with my setup.

 

[wleigh1021]

They pick up on it quickly. They may not drink right away as they don't need to when they still have the yolk, but as soon as they were all settled in the brooder I took them out, put them in a basket, then one by one picked them up and pushed their little beaks against the nipple so they understand and then put them down in the brooder. This way I know that I instructed all of them how to do it. Then over the next 24 hours i would go in and hit the nipple with my finger to make sure they understand. If you don't see them using it you can show them how to drink from it again, but I never had that problem.

 

[Relleoms]

I also use a water bottle and it works great! Last year it dripped a bit, so I’m hoping this setup will solve that problem. But they took to it immediately.
ETA: I plan to switch to a horizontal nipple after a few weeks, when they are a bit stronger to peck.

 

[DobieLover]

I also use a water bottle and it works great! Last year it dripped a bit, so I’m hoping this setup will solve that problem. But they took to it immediately.View attachment 1680154

That's adequate but having Dash from the Incredibles on the bottle adds a little pizzaz to the brooder!

 

[Relleoms]

That's adequate but having Dash from the Incredibles on the bottle adds a little pizzaz to the brooder!

It most certainly does!!! I just watched that movie (for the first time) Monday with my sick niece. Cute for sure! We don’t have kids, so all our stuff is really boring

 

[DobieLover]

It most certainly does!!! I just watched that movie (for the first time) Monday with my sick niece. Cute for sure! We don’t have kids, so all our stuff is really boring

I don't have kids! I just happened to find the bottle cheap at Aldi. Dash was a fun bonus!