How do you teach chicks to drink from cup waterers?

[HH.Wench]

I use the Royal Rooster brand with the self filling float valve cups. They learned how to use it right away. I placed a bowl of fresh water on a brick directly under the water cups, once they got used to drinking in that spot, removed the bowl and they still came right there to drink and naturally dipped their beaks into the float cups since the cups were only 1 inch above the water bowl.

If you have the valves that need to be pecked to refill, try placing a black dot with a sharpie in the valve, so they peck it thinking its a bug.

 

[New2Chicks97]

I use the Royal Rooster brand with the self filling float valve cups. They learned how to use it right away. I placed a bowl of fresh water on a brick directly under the water cups, once they got used to drinking in that spot, removed the bowl and they still came right there to drink and naturally dipped their beaks into the float cups since the cups were only 1 inch above the water bowl.

If you have the valves that need to be pecked to refill, try placing a black dot with a sharpie in the valve, so they peck it thinking its a bug.

Thanks for the feedback on those cups. I ordered some. Only a few of my daft chickens can figure out to peck the little lever in the cup to get the water but they will all drink if the cup has water in it.

I have been wanting to construct a larger water system with cups so these will work wonderfully! Now I just have to wait for them to get here from Australia before I put my husband to work building my idea.

 

[pinkyorpington]

Thanks @blackdog043 i think I came to the same conclusion. Grrrr. Wasted $.

 

[pinkyorpington]

@HH.Wench -- that marker dot is a great idea! will try now! thanks!!

 

[HH.Wench]

Thanks for the feedback on those cups. I ordered some. Only a few of my daft chickens can figure out to peck the little lever in the cup to get the water but they will all drink if the cup has water in it.

I have been wanting to construct a larger water system with cups so these will work wonderfully! Now I just have to wait for them to get here from Australia before I put my husband to work building my idea.

The Royal Roosters always stay full, so no pecking needed. Made it super easy to train. I bought the full feed and water set with 2 water cups and they work well for my small flock of 6 who also free range. I refill them every 2-3 days. Anymore birds than 6 and i would want larger feeders. The RR are pretty pricey but nice.

 

[New2Chicks97]

The Royal Roosters always stay full, so no pecking needed. Made it super easy to train. I bought the full feed and water set with 2 water cups and they work well for my small flock of 6 who also free range. I refill them every 2-3 days. Anymore birds than 6 and i would want larger feeders. The RR are pretty pricey but nice.

I bought a set of the cups so I can make a larger waterer as we have 12 girls at the moment. I have a 50 gallon barrel with a spigot that was a good grade container. My plan is to run a hose from the barrel to a pvc pipe and connect this cups to the pvc pipe. Now if it actually works we shall see. Will have to get my husband to trouble shoot for me as he is good at that sort of thing.