Chickens won't use nipple watering system

[danrhodes]

A couple weeks ago, I built a poultry nipple watering system, but the birds don't seem to understand how to use it. We took out their regular waterer for a few hours, but they still didn't even attempt to use the nipples, in spite of several attempts to show them how they work. When we put the regular waterer in, they went nuts like they hadn't had a drop in days.

The system is a 5 gallon bucket with 2 inch pvc plumbing to a 6 foot long pipe with 4 nipples spaced 1 foot apart, about 18 inches high (we only have 5 birds). The nipples even have glistening drops of water on them from the poor internal seals...Anyone have any help before we start grabbing them and shoving their little beaks onto the nipples.

 

[jetdog]

I squatted down and they were pretty interested in what I was doing so I just touched the nipples and within a few minutes they were using them. I also noticed if given the choice for plain water or water with ACV they will always drink the ACV, remove all other water sources and wait it out no chicken ever died from dehydration if a water source is available they will use it for sure.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

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Quote: Remove all other water source and then BE PATIENT

It may take them a day or two but they won't die before they figure it out on their own

Your "helping" WON'T help

 

[Janet Pesaturo]

When we put the regular waterer in, they went nuts like they hadn't had a drop in days.

I found this to be the case even after months of using nipple waterer. I think they just enjoy taking a nice slug of water from a puddle type situation, the old fashioned way. I ended up discarding the system because the bucket kept getting mildewy, and the chickens obviously preferred the old way. Not advising that you do the same, I'm just saying what works and what didn't work for me and my birds.