Cups vs Nipples??

[rosemarythyme]

I use horizontal nipples so they don't freeze in winter. I was satisfied with (and the birds liked) vertical nipples, but they froze every winter, so that's a no go for me.

Either one is fine for dispensing clean water in moderate climates. I honestly don't know how cold horizontal nipples can go before they too start to freeze.

 

[ariri30]

I use cups. They do get dirty and the dirt probably come from the chickens beak. I still like them. Easy to clean

 

[blackdog043]

Horizontal nipples are all I use. I can go away for over a week at a time and not worry about them running out of water. I use two 14 gallon drums for my waterers. When I get chicks, I start them on horizontals about 2 - 3 weeks old. For the waterer inside the coop, I have a large plant saucer(Lowes) underneath the drum, to catch the dribbles when they use the nipples, no wet bedding!

Heated 14 gallon waterer inside the coop. The base of the drum is a little bigger than a five gallon bucket, I got it from Amazon. The drum is sitting on 3 bricks, to raise it up in the saucer.

 

[tribalacres]

I bought the nipples and was going to comment that I hate them and so do they, I even put another watered out there so they would drink. I saw your post and was determined to watch them. Thankfully it just took one and they all joined in.

 

[Panhandler80]

Okay... I just ordered some HN from www.mypetchicken.com

I sure liked the idea of the cups, but I'll defer to those of you with more experience. The chicks turned 4 weeks yesterday... I hope I didn't wait to long to introduce them to this new style. I'm sure they would have taken to the cups immediately, seeing as they are standing pools of water.

We'll see.

Now I have 12 unopened watering cups that need a new home... as well as what I believe to be a couple roosters. Oh well.

 

[Kristencardany]

I think I'm also going to try Horizontal nipples and see how that goes! Sounds like most people like and prefer nipples. And I like the idea that the water cant get dirty with nipples. Thanks everyone!

 

[wamtazlady]

Either one is fine for dispensing clean water in moderate climates. I honestly don't know how cold horizontal nipples can go before they too start to freeze.

I live in Northern Montana. Coldest temperature so far with my horizontal nipples working is -22 F.

 

[Trisseh]

I got the cups as I have a mixed flock of chickens and waterfowl. The nipples are a no go for the ducks. Lol. But I wanted some water source that both species can drink from, and not have the ducks turn it into a disgusting mess. they have their own “dirty” water tub but at least the chooks have cleaner water to drink. winter they’ll be housed separately and have heated dog bowls because it gets wayyyyy too cold here to keep either nipples or cups thawed. Lol.

 

[wamtazlady]

I got the cups as I have a mixed flock of chickens and waterfowl. The nipples are a no go for the ducks. Lol. But I wanted some water source that both species can drink from, and not have the ducks turn it into a disgusting mess. they have their own “dirty” water tub but at least the chooks have cleaner water to drink. winter they’ll be housed separately and have heated dog bowls because it gets wayyyyy too cold here to keep either nipples or cups thawed. Lol.

My horizontal nipples have been thawed as low as -22 F or -30 C. They probably could stay thawed even lower but that is as low as it has gotten here.

 

[cpegram]

About to give cups a shot with my first flock ever. I sure hope they work!

I use the cups but they are just gravity no nozzle for them to figure out and work perfectly