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

[April0617]

I have them and think they are great! Everything stays so much cleaner. I do put out large shallow pans of water in shady areas on hot days, too, that I refill a few times during the day, because I've heard about the wattle thing, too, and they can stand in it if they want

 

[tripletfeb]

I have one for my three girls, love it! I had five hens drinking off of just one before. Mine has three nipples that come off of it. Mine also plugs in so the water doesn't freeze in the winter. To train them to drink from it, you have to remove all other water sources(maybe not the best idea in summer). Then show them where the water comes from. I had to physically grab each chicken and put their beak up to the nipple part. I will never use another waterer in my coop! I do have mine up on a couple blocks, so the girls can reach it better. This is the one I have

 

[aart]

going slow and observing

This is often the problem, most folks don't understand how NPT threads work.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...nipple-waterer-for-wire-crates-by-aart.72704/

 

[aart]

I can't even lift the 50 lb bags.

I could, but I don't....learned long ago just because you can lift something doesn't mean you should. Of course that was long after my back was shot. I have a hand truck that I use to move feed bags from van to coop.

 

[Tortoise]

I use them on 5 gallon buckets. I really like them but haven't used anything else. I fill the bucket part way. When I'm going to be gone for a few days, their water and food doesn't need refilling.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Thank you everyone! I'm seriously considering these now... though the temperature is much warmer (highs in the 70-90s) than usual (usually a high of 60) for the next week or two so I might try it after the weather calms down a bit. Thank you!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

That's what I used. Just don't use that drill attachment!

I spaced the nipples around the buckets by thinking of how big a hen is and how much personal space she might want. I didn't want them close enough to start pecking order trouble while drinking.

Ordered!

 

[wamtazlady]

Give ya credit where credit is due but I'm in Arkansas and our winters don't get that cold. I have my heater set up on a timer that only runs for a hour or 2 before the sun comes up in the cold months. I've walked out and the 250 watt heater I got has the 5 gallon bucket hot enough runnin that short amount of time it's luke warm on the outside of the bucket. Good enough for down here.

The stock tank deicer I use has its own thermostat. It turns on at about 35 degrees and off again at 40. The water never gets warm. It merely stays thawed.

 

[rosemarythyme]

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.

I can't even lift the 50 lb bags.

My waterer realistically holds a little over 2 gallons so I can lift it back and forth to the spigot if needed. Or I keep empty 1 gallon jugs around for easy filling of both the chicken waterer and my dog bowls.

 

[UncleDako]

Horizontal or Vertical Nipples @UncleDako ?

Actually vertical to start.