I'm going to add automatic waterer on a PVC pipe soon( or my hubby is
) . Otherwise it's too hard to get someone to take on the chores if we go away. My neighbor would still check things but not have to fill it. I'm looking at the mini cup ones. The little nipple ones -I'm afraid they wouldn't all get a hang of it
Quote:
It is amazing how fast they will pick up drinking from those nipple waterers - the only drawback I see is they do leak when the thermometer changes. Put them somewhere it doesn't matter if it leaks, and have them on the hose.
In nature most chickens drink the dew off the leaves in the morning - they do not sleep next to a stream (that would be a predator path) so that's how they get their morning drink. They know instinctively to peck at something shiny-glittery - that's why putting marbles in those chick waterers work. The drip nipples mimic what they find in nature - and they take to it.. well - like ducks to water. However, it does NOT work for ducks
Personally I use the automatic dog waterer bowls that are attached to the hose - blue plastic with a float under a cover so the chickens can't stand on it and make it overflow. Cleaning it is really easy because I just pick up the bowl, tilt it to start the water flowing again - grab a handful of dirt/rocks/grass and scrub it out, shake it to remove anything that went back into the hole, dump it out a few times and put it back and it fills up with water again. They do not tend to stand on top of it as much as the other waterers - it isn't high enough to play king of the hill on. And if I put it up against a fence they don't stand on it at all. The ducks like this one too (they have the big version) but their waterer needs cleaning more often... little messy piggies!
I went to the Stockton Show last year, it was a combined regular show with an American Federation Bantam show I think - and it was exactly like Disneyland - minus the rides and the food vendors. I don't think I saw it all - but I did manage to cover the important (to me) parts. I have an incubator I didn't think I could ever afford, and I picked up my lovely birds. I will definitely be going back next year, the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise...
Thank you ChickNmamma, great info! I really like the hose idea too. I guess I could try the nipples first, the little cup ones look like they could have issues with the plastic floats. I'm wondering how old the chickens would be to use them. I couldn't imagine babies getting the hang of it, but perhaps so. It's , like you said, more natural.It is amazing how fast they will pick up drinking from those nipple waterers - the only drawback I see is they do leak when the thermometer changes. Put them somewhere it doesn't matter if it leaks, and have them on the hose.
In nature most chickens drink the dew off the leaves in the morning - they do not sleep next to a stream (that would be a predator path) so that's how they get their morning drink. They know instinctively to peck at something shiny-glittery - that's why putting marbles in those chick waterers work. The drip nipples mimic what they find in nature - and they take to it.. well - like ducks to water. However, it does NOT work for ducks
Personally I use the automatic dog waterer bowls that are attached to the hose - blue plastic with a float under a cover so the chickens can't stand on it and make it overflow. Cleaning it is really easy because I just pick up the bowl, tilt it to start the water flowing again - grab a handful of dirt/rocks/grass and scrub it out, shake it to remove anything that went back into the hole, dump it out a few times and put it back and it fills up with water again. They do not tend to stand on top of it as much as the other waterers - it isn't high enough to play king of the hill on. And if I put it up against a fence they don't stand on it at all. The ducks like this one too (they have the big version) but their waterer needs cleaning more often... little messy piggies!
I went to the Stockton Show last year, it was a combined regular show with an American Federation Bantam show I think - and it was exactly like Disneyland - minus the rides and the food vendors. I don't think I saw it all - but I did manage to cover the important (to me) parts. I have an incubator I didn't think I could ever afford, and I picked up my lovely birds. I will definitely be going back next year, the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise...
Miss Molly has Brabanters, though she doesn't have her breeding pens set up right now.
I haven't been either, but I hear it's one of the largest shows in this area.
My Mom would love to discuss (and purchase) Brabanters! If you come through here Miss Molly, look us up!
