Nipple waterers are awesome, clean water and hardly ever have to refill them. I have a five gallon in two coops outside and a ten gallon container in another coop. I just used the cheap vertical one's from TSC (though I keep hearing the horizontal are better). Probably don't have to but I was worried about the seal just screwing them in so also sealed them up extra with some water proof sealant before use. The birds learn to use them about immediately. Been using them for four yrs now and haven't had to fix or replace anything. And they definitely get plenty of water using them we had up around 100 degree F temps this last week and hardly ever see the birds drinking so they get what they need when they want it.
I don't use them in the winter beings we get a few months of subzero F temps, just use two gal rubber pans, easy to knock the ice out. Some still use them in winter and add a bird bath heater or other means. I just don't want to bother running electric, too far from the house and the coops are in different areas. If I did though and I might someday to my bigger coop, would be easier not to have to haul water everyday, I would switch to the horizontal nipples, heard they are less likely to freeze up.
I don't use them in the winter beings we get a few months of subzero F temps, just use two gal rubber pans, easy to knock the ice out. Some still use them in winter and add a bird bath heater or other means. I just don't want to bother running electric, too far from the house and the coops are in different areas. If I did though and I might someday to my bigger coop, would be easier not to have to haul water everyday, I would switch to the horizontal nipples, heard they are less likely to freeze up.
