Do Nipple Waterers Provide Enough Water??

[wsdareme]

I have two 5-gallon buckets, one inside and one outside, each with 3 nipple waterers. I had a 5-gallon galvanized waterer inside the coop, but it was a hassle for me to fill and pack inside, so we replaced it with a 5-gallon bucket with 3 nipple waterers.

My egg production has dropped from an average of 15 eggs per day to as low as 3 eggs per day. I know some of the girls are molting, but not THAT many. I put the galvanized waterer back in the coop today and it looked like those poor hens hadn't had a drop to drink in days. They swarmed the waterer.

Now, I KNOW that they've been using the nipple waterers both inside and outside. Is it possible that they are simply not getting enough to drink from them?

I sure don't want to have to start packing that heavy galvanized waterer again. My back is killing me.

 

[bairo]

drill a small hole in the top if you have a lid on them. sometimes that helps water flow when the nipple is activated.

 

[wsdareme]

We actually have a hole in the lid already, large enough for a hose to fit for filling...

 

[tsiecz]

I have a two gallon bucket with 2 nipples in the coop day and night. When I let them out in the morning they immediately go to the bowl for water.The nipples work and they use it, but they really get a big gulp of water from the bowl.And yes my top has holes in it.

 

[wyododge]

It is suggested to have 1 nipple per 3 to 4 chickens. We have 26 birds ( large breed) 2 buckets with 5 nipples each. But in the winter we go down to one bucket. You may just want to add a couple more nipples to your bucket.

 

[carolinasculpture]

I have 2 - 5 gallon buckets with 3 nipples each and 10 chickens. They also have a small pool of water. They drink from the pool some, but in the heat I keep the water in the buckets cold so they prefer the nipples and only occasionally drink from the pool. So I would assume that they get plenty from the nipples. However, if yours do not, I would definitely add another water source!

 

[nurse_turtle]

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[wsdareme]

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As I said in an earlier post, there is already a hole in the lid of each bucket -- big enough to insert a water hose.

 

[Animalian]

I prefer the cup drinkers with the little valve. I think they can get the water easier if they can submerge their beaks.