[EMERGANCY]Cant get chickens to use nipple drinker!

[ben0125]

I have had my 2 big chickens in my run for at least 5 hours now and they havent used the nipple drinker. Heres a photo of the drinker:

I have taken away any other water sources and I have been going down to the chicken coop every 10 minutes or so to keep pecking the nipples with my finger. I have even tried holding food out just behind the nipples so they have to peck it to get the food but they still dont know how to use it. Do I need to give up now? Or am I teaching them wrong?
Any advice will be much appreciated.
-Ben

 

[BantyChooks]

It looks much too high to me. How far up is it?

 

[ben0125]

It looks much too high to me. How far up is it?

They can reach it, I know that because I held the food right next to the nipples and they didn't struggle reaching it.
(The photo was from early this morning and since then I've lowered it, but it's not like I have only recently lowered it.

 

[ben0125]

I am quite worried now, They haven't learned and its pretty warm, do I give up and give them a bowl?

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Can you hold them with one hand with their beaks against the nipple while you activate the nipple with your other hand so that water drips on their beaks?

 

[rebrascora]

Have you considered smearing the nipples with peanut butter and maybe sticking a bit of scratch to the peanut butter to get them pecking at the nipples?

 

[NikAndHerChicks]

Ooh! That is a great idea! I'm super curious to see if you try it how that works out for you.

 

[ben0125]

GOING TO GO TRY YOUR IDEAS NOW!

 

[rebrascora]

I have to say that I was sure someone would make a comment about it sounding kinky , but I couldn't figure out another way to suggest it

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I have to say that I was sure someone would make a comment about it sounding kinky , but I couldn't figure out another way to suggest it

LOL I didn't even think about that until you said the word 'kinky'