do chickens prefer bowls of water to the nipple system?

[Cynthia12]

Maybe some pictures tomorrow? We really would like some ideas, I know there are a few different ways to do this, just want to hear what works best for a small flock. I saw what I think was..a large pop bottle on one site. A large bucket hanging somehow on another.
Thanks again....

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
Here's a page with some nipple waterers: https://www.backyardchickens.com/chicken-coop-water-feeder.html

I also have pics of mine on my byc page. Good luck!

 

[Cynthia12]

Quote:
Here's a page with some nipple waterers: https://www.backyardchickens.com/chicken-coop-water-feeder.html

I also have pics of mine on my byc page. Good luck!

wow, your pictures are impressive..I had to call my DH in to look. We are also having problems with sparrows! We had also intended on making those feeders..can't wait for warmer weather so he can get out and work. We have a lot of snow here right now. But, come warmer weather, some things are going to change for my girls. I will replace my wood chips with sand inside the coop, will work on getting the nipple waters, and also the feeders..plus, want to extend our coop run, think I have enough for my hubby to do? That's ok, he's just retired, and likes keeping busy.
Thanks again for pictures...you have some lucky chickens..living in some style there.

 

[Sparhawk]

I went from 2 1-gal plastic wateres and 1 2-gal waterer to plastic rectangle litter box. I was filling the water at least once a day and when they got close to the bottom, they'd tip them over in hopes of getting more water out of them ( I think...

or it was during the parties they were having...) The tray holds more water and hasn't been turned over ...yet ( I put a brick on each short side to keep the tray from moving. I'm looking or an easier system, one that I can fill from outside the coop. Meanwhile, I go in each morning, top it off (hot water lately to melt the top layer of ice) and check on them after I get home from work.

 

[chicnchic]

Quote:
Sparhawk, I'm not sure how many birds you're watering, but I made one for my 12 hens, and their Roo

, out of a 5 gallon pail, and hang it from the roof of the hen house with a chain that has a clip on the end like what you find on a dog chain....I am in NH, so I have a tank de-icer in it for the winter and it works like a charm! I hang it just above head height of the smallest bird so they have to reach up a little but not too much. It worked so well that I made another one out of a 3 gallon pail when I bought some Silkies, and had them switched over in 24 hours!

I sure makes my life easier with MUCH less mess, and in summer I have one inside and one outside so they always have plenty of water

 

[BellevueOmlet]

The nipples do not seem to give the chickens enough water. That is why I switched to nipple style water bowls.

I switched my chickens over to these nipple style bowls recently and I love it. They do not spill water like the nipples did and I know they are getting enough water. I think nipples are good too but think the nipple bowls are the best invention ever. They get plenty of water and makes taking care of my ladies much easier. Either way is good as I could never go back to a plastic waterer that I had to refill every couple of days. Plus I have it up against the cage so it is not taking up as much space so they have more room to run around in.

 

[BellevueOmlet]

This is the type I have in case you wanted to see a picture. It was kind of expensive. I think I got it from MCMurry for about $70 but it was worth it to me.

 

[Qi Chicken]

BellvueOmlet----Nice set-up! I assume this could not ever work in a freezing sort of climate. ???

 

[Chris09]

Quote:
You could, you would have to set it up a little different. Here is a picture from bass equipment that shows a circulating system with heater and auto fill. (this system can be made at home fairly cheap and easy)

http://www.bassequipment.com/Waterers/Freez-X,+Thermocube+/default.aspx

Chris

 

[chicnchic]

Quote:
BellevueOmlet how do the birds get more water from this system? I saw the cups when I ordered the "nipples" but didn't understand how they can help...how have you found them to offer more water? And why do you think that the birds don't drink enough right from the nipples?
(I am not being critical, I am honestly asking for the info...I am new to raising chickens and want to insure that they are being cared for in the best way I can offer, so if you can show me that the cups are better, I'll probably switch over in the Spring)