Has anyone made a waterer with the 'chicken nipples'?

[LindsayB]

I just ordered 3 chicken nipples so I can built a waterer with a 5 gallon bucket or jug. Has anyone else ever made these? and if so do you have any pictures? thanks!

 

[Mervin]

I don't have any pictures, but I have made them. I would suggest a 5-gallon bucket b/c the plastic is a bit more sturdy than a milk jug. I have a chain hanging form the rafters of the coop and hook it to the handle of the bucket with an "S" hook. I put it at a height that the adults have to stretch their necks a bit to get a drink.

When you get the nipples, they should say what size the holes should. You can use a drill gauge if they don't. Then a drilled 4 (3 in your case) evenly spaced holes in the the bottom of the bucket and screwed the nipples in. I try and put them toward the edge of the bucket so several chickens can drink at the same time. 3 nipples is probably plenty as that's all the more chickens that can fit under it at once.

I haven't had many troubles with it. I thought it might leak a little. Once nipple drips a little if I let the water get low and the pressure on the nipple to get low. One problem I did have was with the nipples freezing up, but I don't suppose you'll have that problem in TX. Mine doesn't actually start freezing until the temps drop into the high-teens or low-twenties for a while. It was 18 last night and things looked okay this morning. The other issue I had was with the lid. When you hang the bucket full of water it distort the shape a little and the lid doesn't fit quite right. It was kind of a pain to take off to fill, so I cut a piece of heavy, yet-pliable plastic to cover the top. I just fold it back to fill.

Although they stay clean for a relatively long time. I do have to take it down and scrub it every couple of weeks, especially in the summer. I really haven't had an algae problems, just general muck that needed cleaned out. Even with it covered, some gunk get in there when I uncover it to fill it. It still bits a dish or fountain IMO.

 

[LindsayB]

thank you for such as fast reply! I only have 3 hens right now, 4 in a few weeks, so 2-3 nipples should be plenty for them i guess. How many birds to you have? I'm just curious as to how often you have to refill the bucket.

 

[kelidei]

Hi! here are some pics of my waterers... I LOVE THEM!!! No more poopy water, no more dumped over waterers... they are all I use now. It was real nice this winter because all I did was buy a few birdbath heaters to hang inside them--- no frozen waterers either!

 

[LindsayB]

that looks really good!

Did it take a while for them to figure out how to use it?

 

[kelidei]

Nope.... I just went over by it and tapped the nipples and the noise made them come see and then they saw the water drips and started figuring it out right away. I left out their regular waterer for a day until I was sure they all got it... the good thing is that once one gets it they all follow the example of the one who figures it out. I also use a smaller version for my brooder/grow pen... with the chicks I hold them and put their beaks next to the nipple and move the nipple so the water falls on their beak... it takes a little longer but usually a day or two they get it... they all seem to prefer the nipple waterers if given a choice... clean water probably tastes better

 

[BellevueOmlet]

My only reocmmendation is that you have the water source high enough that your chickens are not uncomfortable while drinking. I often see them too low. Congrats on the new water system, it will make life a lot easier.

 

[cackydoodledoo]

Quote:
Wondered about this and that's the only thing that kept me from doing it. Going to go get the stuff to do it. I only have one problem. I have two little bantee chickens that run with my big girls and afraid they won't be able to reach it. Any suggestions??

 

[Mervin]

I've had up to a dozen using one bucket.

As for how often, it depends on the time of year really. Right now, with 10 pullets, they drink less than 1/2 gallon per day. In the summer, they drink b/t 1/2 and 1 gallon per day usually.

In the summer, I fill things like cottage cheese containers, freeze them and drop in the blocks of ice a couple of times a day. Mine seem to drink water more readily if it's a bit cooler.

Mine figured them out right away but continued to use the pan for a day. Eventually I just took the pan out and they took to it.

I agree that once they're used to the nipples, they seem to prefer them.

 

[Mervin]

Quote:
Wondered about this and that's the only thing that kept me from doing it. Going to go get the stuff to do it. I only have one problem. I have two little bantee chickens that run with my big girls and afraid they won't be able to reach it. Any suggestions??

I'm going to be in the same boat in a few weeks. I'm just going to put a block or something off to one side and see if they figure it out. If not, I'll make a second bucket and hang it lower.