Chickens eating water nipple! Help!

[n0nsequit0rish]

Title says it all, really. I have a 5 gallon bucket with four water nipples in the bottom, and the whole thing is suspended. This works well for the most part, but my chickens are so voracious I've had to replace two nipples now. There has to be a better solution to watering the flock! Has anyone made something which is more sturdy than those red nipples from China (or wherever they're manufactured)?

 

[blackdog043]

A lot of us use horizontal nipples(Amazon) and only a few that I know of had a problem. Also depending on your location, you can use a stock tank deicer in your waterer and the horizontal nipples will not freeze.

 

[n0nsequit0rish]

I don't have a problem with water freezing- My issue is that the chickens almost use the nipples too well! They keep pecking until the metal rod or ball on the inside which seals the system comes out. I assume it's then eaten, because I can never find it when it's off the bucket.

By horizontal, do you mean the cup type? That might be worth switching to if it helps. Maybe because they'd be pecking at the water itself and not the shiny metal it won't be a problem.

 

[blackdog043]

No, not the cups, they tend to leak around the threads, people have problems getting chickens to use them and dirt will collect in the cup. Look up horizontal chicken nipples on Amazon. If you buy them, use an 11/32 drill bit to make the hole and screw them in leaving 2 - 3 threads showing, do not screw them all the way in. These nipples are made better than verticals. The rod is held in with an o-ring on the back side.