⠀ changing from open water to nipples water system

[clucky mamma]

Hi guys, is there a way to teach our hens to use the nipples water system? We started off with open water but it gets very dirty so we have opted for the nipples system but my girls aren't drinking, if I show them that the nozzle drips they start off at the nipples but then look for where the water fell on the ground. I've put the open water back as well because I don't want them to go thirsty but would love all suggestions as to how to get them to use the nipples please

 

[Loc20chick]

Hi guys, is there a way to teach our hens to use the nipples water system? We started off with open water but it gets very dirty so we have opted for the nipples system but my girls aren't drinking, if I show them that the nozzle drips they start off at the nipples but then look for where the water fell on the ground. I've put the open water back as well because I don't want them to go thirsty but would love all suggestions as to how to get them to use the nipples please

For me I took away the open water, showed them the nipple and by end of day they were nibbling at the nipple when thirsty. when they get thirsty they will go where they saw the water come out and nibble at it.

 

[fire370]

They'll pick it up quickly. All of our chicks go the nipple right out of the hatcher.

 

[birds4kids]

Just a week ago I switched our 4-5 week old birds to horizontal nipples. I was going to be out of town and needed them on the 5gallon supply. I left them no food or water overnight and greeted them in the morning with the new waterer with some dripping shown and I put a little fermented feed on the nipples for extra attraction. Worked fine, within 10 minutes at least 3 had played with it a little. As others say once you get 1 going the rest are going to follow.

 

[flippinggoldfis]

I was worried about the same thing with my hens. I showed them the nipple waterer and even caused it to drip a little bit of water out to get them interested. They took to it pretty fast. I was very worried that they wouldn't and would keep looking for their water bowl. Now they exclusively drink from it.

 

[conny]

I switched them to nipples at 4 weeks. But since they are outside foraging all day (I have 2 water bottles with nipples hanging out there) I never see them drinking from them. They prefer to find some rain water puddles if they can. I am worried that they get enough water, but then they are still up and running...

 

[chynasparks]

I gout my new flock in March at 2 weeks. 5 pullets. As soon as I let them have free range of the coop I switched them to a nipple waterer. I showed one how to use it and very soon the other 4 joined right in. Since I lost my first flock to predators I have added an enclosed run. I just can't go through that loss again. So I have a waterer in the outer pen and a waterer in the coop. I can even easily put ice in them on these hot days. Water levels drop pretty quick plus I see them using them. I am so pleased with these waterers. Before the summer is out I will have the top cover of the pen secured from predators so that in the morning I just open the door and they can come in and out all day. I drive a school bus so I'm on limited hours for summer school. I can watch them. Anyway the nipple waterers are a perfect fit to their space. They seem to be hydrated. I keep the water changed and am so glad I'm not dealing with poopy nasty water.

 

[chynasparks]

Hi guys, is there a way to teach our hens to use the nipples water system? We started off with open water but it gets very dirty so we have opted for the nipples system but my girls aren't drinking, if I show them that the nozzle drips they start off at the nipples but then look for where the water fell on the ground. I've put the open water back as well because I don't want them to go thirsty but would love all suggestions as to how to get them to use the nipples please

I've learned that it may be a little harder to teach older chickens but they will learn. I taught my chicks by just taking one at teaching her. I just held her up to the nipple and got her beak wet. Don't have the other watered there or they will just go to that waterer. You will need to keep an eye out for their usage. I can understand about worrying about their drinking but if you put the old waterer in with the nipple waterer they will just go to what they know. Another system you might look into for your older birds are cup waterers. They are little cups fitted like the millers but they still provide a little cup of water to drink from. They can't mess in those either. Sand on their beaks might settle in the cup but no poopy water.

 

[chynasparks]

Sorry typo above post. I meant fitted like the nipplers