Changing to a nipple water system

[mi2bugz]

How hard is it for the chickens to change from a regular water holder to the nipple system? I am thinking of going the 5 gallon bucket route with a pvc elbow and nipple. Any tips for the adjustment period?

~ Nicole

 

[gallito1982]

Nicole my experience with nipples has been great from 3-4 months old chickens even with baby chicks they adapt very fast to the nipples, of course you have to play a bit with the nipples touching them so they can see theres water in there, you only need one starting to drink from the nipples the rest of them would copy, my only adviced would be, dont leave any other water source because they gonna keep drinking from there and no from the nipples, even if you think they are not gonna drink dont worry as soon as they get thristy they will start looking for water and they will found out, good luck!

 

[mi2bugz]

Thank you so much for the reassurance!

 

[gallito1982]

no problem, i will warranty you that you will love to have water nipples and you never gonna go back, minimum to none water mess thats something you will appreciated of you have the waterer inside the coop

Thank you so much for the reassurance!

r

 

[LoneOak]

Just a reminder,

The most important rule is Remove all Other Sources of Water!

 

[mi2bugz]

Got it...no other water sources . Thank you so much!

 

[mi2bugz]

What type of nipple is best? I have seen threaded, oasis, saddle, cups? Can any of these be bought at feed stores or just online?

 

[gallito1982]

i havent seen any of those in any local feed store, you can find them very cheap on ebay i personaly use threaded nipples the red ones they work nice but you have to use thread seal tape to prevent future leakes, havent seen any positive reviews in the push in nipples, they look to leak, as for the cup reviews says that they work prety nice and look nice as well but eventually you have to clean them cause the debri they start acumualiting in the bottom

What type of nipple is best? I have seen threaded, oasis, saddle, cups? Can any of these be bought at feed stores or just online?

 

[LoneOak]

I've used all kinds except for the push in type and I have found that these horizontal poultry nipples are the best thing out there. This same ebay seller also has an Automatic Fill Watering System that you could get, it is one of the nicest out there and the auto fill feature is something no one else offers. It is easily expandable as well and I do believe he sells the parts direct without having to go through ebay.

If you do a search for my user name, LoneOak, I have posted a couple topics about the different types of systems I have and am currently using along with pictures of most of it as well.

Just to add, I haven't seen any of these items at the local feed stores either. Even Tractor Supply doesn't carry them. I believe the stores have to buy such a large quantity to meet there return margins that they don't even mess with them. I asked at my local feed store and he said not even his suppliers carried any of the nipples or cups just the standard feeders and waters that they have been offering for years.

 

[zinkie]

I tried the cups, have had them out for maybe 3 months.... a few of my girls still do not get it. It could be because I always had other sources available, especially during the summer heat. They loved to drink out of them, but only if they were full of water. I had maybe 3 or 4 out of 10 who knew to push it to get water to flow. Loved the idea of them, but I guess girls didn't.