Help!! Nipple waterer not enough water

[Alte Vogel]

I ordered push nipples from QC Supply and got a free 5 gallon bucket from a local grocery store. I thought this was going to be great so I wouldn't have to worry about cleaning so often. I have five young ladies about the same ages (14 weeks). I put three nipples in the bottom of the bucket, put water in it, and hung it up late Sunday afternoon. I tapped at each nipple to check for water. All seemed to work fine. My chicks caught on immediately. They were all pecking away. So, I THOUGHT everything was fine. I took my old galvanized waterer away.

This morning I was watering some plants next to their coop which is on a concrete pad. Some of the water spilled on the pad. They all raced over to the water and were trying to get it off the floor. My eyes went wide. I got their old galvanized waterer and filled it with water. When I put it in their run they all stood there and drank for about 5 minutes straight. Gosh, I feel soooo bad. I thought they were getting enough from the nipple waterer. What could be wrong?

Help please

 

[fiddlebanshee]

I was sceptical about this at first too. I made a point the first week to keep track of how much was left in the waterers every day so that I could estimate how much they were drinking. They were right on the mark in terms of what they were supposed to drink according to the guidelines that I have seen.

So I know my chicks are getting enough, but they will still also go to the normal waterer I have outside and take deep gulps.

Can you check for a day or so how much the water level is lowered and calculate how much water consumption there actually is? I'm not sure you can conclude that the chickens aren't getting enough water by their behavior. You would think I never fed them anything if you would judge by their behavior when I give them treats.

 

[allpeepedout]

I haven't used the nipple waterers, but by analogy, if you were always forced to drink from a straw, or through a plastic lid, or via some other artifice, with your neck or head perhaps positioned in a required manner, it seems you might really enjoy drinking as nature designed when given the opportunity. Just saying...

 

[StarLover21]

I had these for my now 6 wk old chicks too. I noticed that they were panting one day, and it wasn't very hot. I checked the waterer, which was full to the top, and nothing came out when I tapped. I bought them a 'regular waterer' right away. They ATTACKED it. You should probably get them a new waterer.

 

[debid]

Quote:
Actually, you probably just needed to poke a hole in the lid to release the vacuum that had formed. You don't want an airtight container with nipples.

 

[Alte Vogel]

Quote:
Actually, you probably just needed to poke a hole in the lid to release the vacuum that had formed. You don't want an airtight container with nipples.

Wow! I think the problem has been solved. When I read here on BYC how to make a nipple waterer someone had mentioned making a hole in the top. I forgot that part. The lid for the bucket I am using has a tight rubber seal. I will take care of that problem this morning.

Thank you Debid!

 

[CarolJ]

Quote:
Whew! I just bought a bunch of nipple tips, PVC pipe and a 5 gallon bucket and was going to work on the new water system for my coop this coming weekend. When I read the first few posts, I was hoping that all my purchases hadn't been in vain! I will be sure to put a hole in the top to prevent a vacuum from forming.

Good luck with yours!

 

[jmtcmkb]

Quote:
Whew! I just bought a bunch of nipple tips, PVC pipe and a 5 gallon bucket and was going to work on the new water system for my coop this coming weekend. When I read the first few posts, I was hoping that all my purchases hadn't been in vain! I will be sure to put a hole in the top to prevent a vacuum from forming.

Good luck with yours!

x2

 

[mommissan]

I use the nipples. They drink from them and have no problems. It may be perceived that they are extremely thirsty because they dive on the watering trough every morning. The water just tastes better and is easier to drink that way. I use the nipples in the coop to keep them from spilling it all over and from pooping in it. It is basically a backup water source. Don't fret. They all learn to drink from it and will when they are thirsty. I still provide a "dish" of water every day, just outside in the run where they can make all the mess they want.

They dive on the treats the same way too, doesn't mean they're not eating their layer pellets. Now that I think about it, my after-work beer goes down the same way....

 

[csr326]

I totally agree with debid

You have to POKE a hole in the bucket or bottle you are using. I didn't do this and my chicks where not getting any water. I kept tapping the nipple and no water was coming out. Once I made a pin size hole on the water bottle I was using. The water was flowing right out like a faucet It was beautiful. (For a 5gal bucket, I wouldn't suggest a pin size hole) a few pencil thick holes should do the job as long as it BREAKS the vaccum seal.

REMEMBER once you make the holes on top, this will cause more pressure on the water nipples seal because the water is being pushed down by gravity. You will be able to tell if you have WEAK seals, because the watering nipples will start to leak from the base where it screws in.

YOU have to make sure it is screwed completely on and that it has a tight seal. I was making the holes too big and they were not screwing in tight. The water was linking from the screw seal, keep in mind this was in a brooder and did not want constant dripping for the outside this can cause a muddy mess.

I realized what my mistake was. Most of these nipples are manufactured in other countries a.k.a (China) where they use the metric system. So the majority of them called for a hole that is made by an 9mm drill bit or 11/32 (USA) drill bit. I went to the local wal-mart and they didnt carry this size. I had to go to Home Depot and they only carried one, it was $4-5... Once I used the 11/32 drill bit to make the holes I attempted to screw the watering nipples on, "use a tool if needed". You have to make sure you push in as you are twisting just for the final few twist. So the ruber seal and bucket/bottle are held tight together. Dont over do it just get a good tight seal, or you will strip the holes.

Once I did this my watering nipples where working perfectly and with no leaks.

I already made my 5 gallon bucket with water nipples and holes on top, I have tested it repeately and the water is flowing out and with no leaks.

Hope this helps