Chick Waterer Setup Question

[Crosschickenchick85]

I have 8 day old chicks that have been drinking out of a regular chicken waterer (small jug that fills the dish type of thing). I did have a nipple drinker in there when I first brought them home and they wouldnt drink out of it. After a few hours of it looking like they wouldnt take a drink, I got worried and put the waterer I have in there now in there and they all came out for a drink. Is it too late to try to get them to drink of the nipple waterer? I much rather use the nipple waterer for the hygienic purposes. Is there a trick to get them to use it? Thank you!

 

[Better Than Rubies]

Hello.

I understand why you want to use the nipple waterer, since it'll keep their water much, much cleaner. But they get a bigger drink and easier out of the bowl, I'd imagine. So why not leave the regular waterer in there, as well as put the nipple waterer in? I don't think they really care, but that way they have an option for clean water. Also, then you can observe them and see if they'll drink out of the nipple one, while still having water from the other one if they choose to still not use it. Or, maybe you have to physically but gently and patiently show them how to use it, by pecking at it with your finger, or carefully and gently taking them and making their beaks touch it. Hope this helps.

 

[DobieLover]

I have 8 day old chicks that have been drinking out of a regular chicken waterer (small jug that fills the dish type of thing). I did have a nipple drinker in there when I first brought them home and they wouldnt drink out of it. After a few hours of it looking like they wouldnt take a drink, I got worried and put the waterer I have in there now in there and they all came out for a drink. Is it too late to try to get them to drink of the nipple waterer? I much rather use the nipple waterer for the hygienic purposes. Is there a trick to get them to use it? Thank you!

I started my chicks off with a gravity fed drinker like what you are using now. I switched them over to this after about a week and two spills from the gravity drinker that made a stinking soppy mess out of the brooder:

I positioned the bottle so the chicks would have to walk under it and reach up to get a drink. That way the water trickles right down into the beak. I just tapped at the nipple until my most curious chicks came to check it out. They took turns drinking from it until they had their fill but the rest were watching. They all came up and took a turn with it and I never had a problem with them not using it.

 

[Crosschickenchick85]

Thank you for the advice! I'll put the nipple waterer back in there and see if anyone has any interest. And also leave the dish waterer in there so they have the option also. I forgot that I have to keep the dish one in there for a few more days either way.. I have one chick with a hobble and chick corrective shoes on so she doesnt have quite the reach/leg abilities her sisters have.

 

[Better Than Rubies]

Thank you for the advice! I'll put the nipple waterer back in there and see if anyone has any interest. And also leave the dish waterer in there so they have the option also. I forgot that I have to keep the dish one in there for a few more days either way.. I have one chick with a hobble and chick corrective shoes on so she doesnt have quite the reach/leg abilities her sisters have.

You're welcome!

I'm glad to hear you're correcting her leg issue...my EE got a broken leg when pretty young (probably from slipping and falling), and I never did treat it. To this day, she's doing good, but it is very painful to watch her hobble around, and the cold really bothers her leg. :-( I wouldn't want your sweet lil' chick to go through/experience that, too.