Chicken nipples - lid or no lid?

[Cadeau]

I'm looking into building some auto waterers with the chicken nipples!!

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but do the nipple waterers have to have a tight lid to work correctly (not leak)??

I need to be able to fill the waterer with a hose or little pail - cannot carry/lift a full 5 gal bucket...

If it DOES need a lid, can I just buy a lid with a gasket and put it on AFTER filling (w/o the water falling out the bottom in the meantime ???)

Thanks!

 

[jmagill]

You don't need a lid. However one is advisable to keep out most of the dirt. Small particles can make the nipples leak.
You will need a small hole to let in air or the nipples will not work.

 

[debid]

Most of the instructions I read for assembly tell you to use a lid and then put a small hole in your bucket -- on the side just below the lip. This allows air in without creating a place where dirt can easily enter. The nipples won't work if you create a vacuum.