chickens not drinking from nipples

[DickMidnight]

i’ve had the nipple waterer in my run for 3 days now and the chickens haven’t drank any water at all

they’ve been really curious about the nipples, pecking around them and everything, but i checked the water level today and it hasn’t moved.

they’ve got supplemental water in the run - a 1.5 gallon bucket that i’ve been filling daily

what can i do to encourage drinking from the nipples?

 

[RoosterML]

Your nipple waterer should be located very close to where your other water source was. You need to remove the other water source if you want them to use the nipples. If you see them using it your good. Tap each nipple so a water drop rest on the tip. If they struggle give them back the original water source about an hour before dark. Repeat each day until they use the nipple without issue.

 

[Chookwagn]

Take away the supplemental water .... stop giving them the easy option

 

[RoosterML]

ok cool. tomorrow i’m gonna pull the second bucket and smear some pb on the nipples

i’ll spend some time in the coop trying to get one of them to peck until water comes out.

I would try without the PB first. Your biggest problem is keeping the original water source in.

 

[Sally PB]

but to encourage them to use the nipple waterer I'd only bring it for a short period after several hours/at end of day

You can put the other waterer in for an hour in the evening until you're certain that they are drinking from the nipples.

Last year, I took out the regular open waterer when I saw that my 3 pullets had figured out the horizontal nipple. My cockerel didn't figure it out. I saw him trying to bite the whole red plastic nipple, and figured he was on his way to getting it right.

Later the second day, he seemed lethargic and I though he looked skinnier...?!? It dawned on me he was dehydrated!

I put out the other waterer, and he went right to it and tanked up.

If I ever try to teach them him HN again, I will put the open waterer out for an hour before dusk to make sure everyone gets water before roosting.

 

[Meyer_Hatchery]

Remove the other water source and make the nipples the only way they get water. They'll always go for the easier way to get water first.

 

[DickMidnight]

Call them over to the nipples with a treat or food that they like (try shaking dry food, it usually makes the run right over!), then tap the nipples with your fingers so they watch the water come out. Repeat this daily, or as needed.

Good luck!

Here's a short video that might help:

thanks. that’s been my approach so far. i’ve been handing out mealworms while sitting at the bucket and letting them see water trickling from the nipples.

i guess i’ve gotta just stay at it.

 

[DickMidnight]

Your nipple waterer should be located very close to where your other water source was.

perfect. i set it up in the same spot as the old waterer.

 

[B-Goock]

Just watch them closely because some flock members may not be as bright as others and catch on as well. If some aren't getting it pen the smart ones in the coop & put pb on for the "less curious" birds. Haha. That's That's nice way of putting it.
Old habits are hard to break. With a regular waterer in they will continue using it alot of the time.

 

[DickMidnight]

Later the second day, he seemed lethargic and I though he looked skinnier...?!? It dawned on me he was dehydrated!

I put out the other waterer, and he went right to it and tanked up.

this is my fear.

i was able to get 3 or 4 out of my 12 to realize the nipples dispense water today. i actually held them, let them watch the water leak out when i pressed the metal center, and the holding their heads, used their beak to push the metal piece in.

i’m gonna go back out tomorrow and try again and make sure i get a few different birds.

tomorrow around 4pm i’ll put the bucket in their run for any stragglers.