Has anyone else had their chickens fail the nipple waterers?

[karincs]

I have a small backyard flock of 4 pullets, aged 13 weeks. When chicks they drank from the 1 quart red/white plastic dish waterer, but about 3 weeks ago we hung a 4 nipple bucket waterer in their coop. I kept the dish waterer for a few days and actually (please don't laugh!) spent one on one time with each pullet teaching her how to use the nipple waterer. Eventually I removed the dish and saw them drinking on occasion from the nipples. Now they free-range in the back yard all day with access to the coop and run where food and water is, but I never see them go there to drink, only to eat. Its like they forget from one day to the next that water is there. I finally did put a rubber water bowl in the garden and I've seen a couple of them sip from that on occasion.
Today is a very hot day and I kept them in the run where its shady, and sat with them for an hour or more. I put fresh water and ice cubes in the nipple waterer and where I had dropped a couple cubes on the ground they were all over it, trying to get water, but they never went near the nipple waterer. Finally out of frustration and concern (they were panting and seemed frantic to drink) I dug out their dish waterer from their chick days, and gave it to them. They all began drinking non-stop. So -- how do I get them to use the nipple waterer without pushing them into a state of dehydration in the process by removing the bowl and dish waterer? I've adjusted the height of the waterer thinking that is the problem, but it didn't seem to solve it. Should I add a second nipple water in the back yard where they free-range?

Thanks for your thoughts.
Karin

 

[itspebbl]

I think some chickens just never get it. We have one half Dominque pullet that was raised on a rabbit waterer to prepare her for the nipple waterer. She got attacked and we used a dish waterer for a little while. When we moved her to the coop, she couldn't seem to figure out the waterer even after we showed her. I have only seen her drink from it about twice. She always seems to be really thirsty when I take water in their. I think some chickens just never get how to drink from a nipple waterer.

 

[karincs]

Thanks, ECS... I feel like maybe I'm the one who failed, not the chickens, by not removing all water sources but the nipple waterer from the get go...
I think I will make a second nipple bucket for the yard and remove everything else and try again.
I know my chickens aren't the sharpest tools in the shed---they forget where the run door is on a regular basis!--but I do love them and want them healthy!
Karin

 

[itspebbl]

Yes, that is probably a good idea. It's ok if they are a little thirsty for a couple of days. Just give them water immediately if they start showing signs of dehydration. Good luck!