How did you train your chickens to use the nipple waterer?

[Newchickenguy]

So I am going to be switching to nipple waterer in a 5 gallon bucket. Can someone tell me how to get my chickens to use them? I am afraid they will just die of thirst unless they figure it out.

 

[Makomd]

I only used nipple waterers for a short time, but they seemed to pick it up quite quickly. I did click it a few times in front of them and I do believe they are attracted to the red. Once one figures it out the rest will follow.

Good Luck

 

[goatluver20]

I think they were just attracted to the nipples since they were shiny. Hope this helps

 

[ocap]

i kept both sources available for a day, then watched until I saw one drink using the nipple, once one has it figured out the others will follow just like the previous person said.

 

[pdirt]

The chicks figured it out in 15 minutes for the first chick, then the others had it figured out within a couple hours. They were captive in the brooder without another choice of water. The adults took a little longer and did have a choice of drinking from the pond that was 150 yard away, but within 24 hours they all had it figured out. I removed their other waterer so that thirst would motivate them to find water. It worked. I did flick the nipple a few times in front of one of the hens and she saw the water drip and I "saw" the lightbulb go on in her head! She was the first to figure it out, though it still took her a couple hours to do it.

 

[Melinda48]

We started them on it when they we're chicks.there has never been another option for them.

 

[seann]

Just got few 4-day old chicks and used a guinea pig water bottle. I tapped the ball several times to get the water out and to get their attention but they didn't care about it.
However later I found out they were pecking on it, lol. Curious little smarty bottoms.

 

[Melinda48]

They had no other choice. It is the only way they have ever known. Now, I will say that when it gets too cold, we use a pan of water and that presents no problems. We only have tomdo that when it is likem-10 or colder.

 

[wally escondido]

Based on Chad-Os advice, what if they just don't get it? I've read that even during cooler months (We're in Melbourne, Australia) chooks are quite susceptible to dehydration, how would I know if they're beginning to suffer?

 

[chad-o]

Based on Chad-Os advice, what if they just don't get it? I've read that even during cooler months (We're in Melbourne, Australia) chooks are quite susceptible to dehydration, how would I know if they're beginning to suffer?

Very simple. NO ONE! I repeat NO ONE! has ever posted that their chickens did not catch on. Or that any have died from lack of water. Almost all post say that after removing all other water they caught on in minuets or hours. The posts that say it took days if you read carefully they have removed and replaced their old watering system. Posts like ( I thought they were not getting enough water so I put it back in the evening ) ( I put the water back in this morning and they went at it like they were dying ) FACT: Bring in a slice of bread no matter that they have plenty of food they go nuts. Let it rain there could be 100 gal of water in the pen they go crazy for a nasty puddle. These are just chicken things!
No I am not shouting I just can't see very well!!!!!