Horizontal Nipple Waterers... in your opinion, yes or no?

[Carson213]

I’d rather not do that... nearest faucet is attached to the house.

I’ll probably do this. I’m not that strong (sometimes I get tired even carrying the 50lb chicken feed bags, especially when it hot out) and even carrying a 3 gallon, sloshing water container is a pain.

the cost of having a spigot at your coop for automatic water is well worth it...if you plan to do this long term...or use your gutters to fill a barrel reservoir that feeds a barrel in the coop with metal nipples on it.

hog feeders that hold 200 lbs make feeding way easier...depending on the number of chickens and your budget...you can buy feed in bulk...load it through a flexible auger to a hopper that pours into the feeder.

 

[Carson213]

I set a large heavy duty tote on top of a milk crate after I put a row of seven nipples on one side. The curiosity factor had several of the girls fascinated with this new addition so I used my finger to get water into the nipples and most were eager to check it out. They trained the other ones. I like the tote for several reasons: It holds a lot of water, so I don't have to keep refilling it; I can see the water level through the sides of the tote; the lid snaps on, keeping the water clean. Every three or four weeks I let the water level get really low and then dump it out and scrub the tote, but I have never seen algae or anything like that in the water.

What I don't like about this system is that the chickens drip water on the floor, and even though I try to keep the coarse wood shavings away from the water they still spread them out and then the shavings get soaked and it is a mess. I have tried putting a boot tray under the nipples, which helps, but the chicks still like to rearrange the shavings and get a lot of them in the tray.

Now, in the summer, I have the tub outside in the shade and on the other side of the pen I fill three shallow plastic tubs with fresh water every day. While the chickens do like to drink from open water (I have never seen any of them dip their combs in it however) I also see them drinking from the nipples. BTW, mine seemed to learn faster with the nipples than with the cups, and seem to like them better.

i had the same problem. i framed in 2x6's to raise my plastic barrel...and cut a hole in the floor covered with wired mesh...so all of their splatter falls to the ground below and not in the coop

 

[Carson213]

i had the same problem. i framed in 2x6's to raise my plastic barrel...and cut a hole in the floor covered with wired mesh...so all of their splatter falls to the ground below and not in the coop

i have made every mistake imaginable with chicken waterers. i got home today to find my brooder about 4" deep in water/bedding. i was ankle deep stopping the leak. it was disgusting

 

[Carson213]

i have made every mistake imaginable with chicken waterers. i got home today to find my brooder about 4" deep in water/bedding. i was ankle deep stopping the leak. it was disgusting

my solution is an outside reservoir on a float from a water source plus the rain with a run off hose. this way...if it leaks, it leaks outside...and it feeds your barrel inside the coop with a float and only fed by gravity pressure

 

[blackdog043]

The buckets are 5 gallons, and I realized I can carry them if they have the lid on.

If your using the standard 5 gallon lids that you have to pry off and want an easier lid, try a gamma lid that screws on and off. It makes it so easy, instead of prying off, then banging the lid back on. Leave the gamma lid just a little loose, so it's not air tight, for a waterer. I use them for my no waste feeders and other 5 gal storage buckets.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Can 6 week chicks learn to use the HN? Someone told me it would be too hard for them to Peck and get water out.

They’re silkies and not yet integrated with the bigger flock, so I want to get them used to it soon.

 

[aart]

Can 6 week chicks learn to use the HN? Someone told me it would be too hard for them to Peck and get water out.

They’re silkies and not yet integrated with the bigger flock, so I want to get them used to it soon.

Not sure. Just put one in with them, along with their regular waterer, so they can try and practice.

 

[arast]

I currently have those plain old chicken waterers, you know, these: (not my photo, and not the exact ones, but basically the same)
View attachment 2724261View attachment 2724262

I share a flock with my sister (@Starburst) and I have been really wanting to switch to this style, especially as we have rats (trying to get rid of them!) and I’ve seen them drink from the fountain waterers, which is NOT sanitary.

Another reason is that they basically splash the water up with their dirty feet and muddy it, and spill the water. I have to refill the two watered very often, which is a pain when one is 3 gallons and the hose is pretty far.

All in all, seems more sanitary, less work, however I do have some reservations. Well, more like Star has some reservations.

Here are her reservations:

Would stress them?

Unnatural?

How would you retrain them?

Chickens should be able to dip their combs in water. (I’m not sure about this one, but that’s what she says)



A few of my questions:

Where is the best place to purchase them?

How many can fit on a 2-3 gallon bucket (I don’t want to lift anything heavier than that)

How many for 16 chickens?

At what age can they start using them? (I have 3, 5 week olds, 7, 15 week olds, and the other 6 are full grown hens)

anyway, any help is appreciated!

Hi there- off topic, but you mentioned rats- have you tried a Grandpa’s feeder? It took my girls a little while to figure it out but now that they have, their food is in a rodent-proof bin. I highly recommend these feeders. I can put a whole bag of feed into it, and it keeps the feed dry and I’m no longer feeding mice and chippies!

https://www.grandpasfeeders.com/pro...MI85Cp3dq98QIVcG1vBB09bA9fEAAYASAAEgLtFvD_BwE

 

[rosemarythyme]

Can 6 week chicks learn to use the HN? Someone told me it would be too hard for them to Peck and get water out.

They’re silkies and not yet integrated with the bigger flock, so I want to get them used to it soon.

6 week old standard chicks can use them, but not sure about Silkies or other bantams due to size. Doesn't hurt to try and train them anyhow but I would leave other sources of water for the time being, until I could see for certain that they're able to use the toggles without difficulty.

 

[3KillerBs]

Can 6 week chicks learn to use the HN? Someone told me it would be too hard for them to Peck and get water out.

They’re silkies and not yet integrated with the bigger flock, so I want to get them used to it soon.

I don't know about Silkies, but mine are learning how.