Heated Nipple Waterers. Do they work?

[Stephen1152]

It’s 9 degrees out and I just switched to a heated nipple waterer. After a few hours of showing them plus the fact that they are getting thirsty, they have been pecking at it constantly. I’m nervous that they are not getting enough water. Can someone reassure me?

 

[wamtazlady]

They are pecking at the nipples because they are a new thing. They have got to check those nipples out for awhile as they are curious. My chickens have used the nipples for years. Never taught them to use them. Never worried they weren't getting enough to drink. Obviously they ARE getting enough as they are still alive and laying. I use a 10 gallon tote for my water with a stock tank deicer and the horizontal nipples. That way it only needs filled once a week or so. I do hate dragging out the hose when it's 0 outside any more than I have to. My waterer has stayed thawed down to -22 F. At that temperature there was some frost forming at the top. Any colder and it might have froze.

Just make sure there is water coming out of the nipple.

 

[Stephen1152]

They are pecking at the nipples because they are a new thing. They have got to check those nipples out for awhile as they are curious. My chickens have used the nipples for years. Never taught them to use them. Never worried they weren't getting enough to drink. Obviously they ARE getting enough as they are still alive and laying. I use a 10 gallon tote for my water with a stock tank deicer and the horizontal nipples. That way it only needs filled once a week or so. I do hate dragging out the hose when it's 0 outside any more than I have to. My waterer has stayed thawed down to -22 F. At that temperature there was some frost forming at the top. Any colder and it might have froze.

Just make sure there is water coming out of the nipple.

Thank you. I feel better now!

 

[jthornton]

I put some landscaping stones around the base of mine with pea gravel in the middle so the water that hit the ground doesn't make a muddy mess.



JT