How long for chickens to use OverEZ waterer with nipples?

[cdahl383]

I recently purchased an OverEZ waterer with nipples as I got tired of dealing with dirty water, other birds drinking the water, spillage, etc. (generic pic attached) I was a little concerned as it doesn't look that easy for the chickens to drink from, nor figure out if they're used to a standard waterer.

I read to put a dab of yogurt on the nipples which I did. I haven't seen them drink from it yet though. Just put it out a few hours ago, so they may not be very thirsty as they already drank quite a bit earlier today. I have it set up on a cinder block, so it's up high enough for them to reach comfortably. I also pushed the nipple in a bit so some water would come out around it so they'd see there is water there.

How many of you on here use this type of waterer and what worked best for you to get your chickens on board drinking from it? Did you have to train them at all, or do any tricks to get them to catch on, or did they just sort of figure it out on their own? Just want to make sure they're getting enough water as they transition.

 

[sealer39]

I’ve never put yogurt on them before. What I do for chicks is tap the nipples so water comes out. The chickens seem attracted to the tapping and will see the water. The chicks usually figure it out after that.
Just make sure the waterer you bought has a vent for air to enter.

 

[K0k0shka]

Mine figured it out right away, within a day or two of hatching. Figuring it out wasn't the problem though. They do really show an interest in red things and pecking nipples, especially if you "peck" first with your finger. The problem is that when they're so small, they're just not strong enough to actually depress the nipple. Mine were giving it their all, throwing themselves at the nipple pecking viciously, but they just couldn't depress it. They'd just drink the drop or two of water I'd let out for them, thinking they did it But then I'd have to do it again... and again. I gave them an open waterer and tried them again at 2 weeks. They pushed the nipples in no problem, I took the other waterer away and that's how they drank from then on. I'd say wait until they're at least a week or two old. Or try them from the start, but watch them carefully and try to see if they're actually depressing the nipple, or just pecking it dry.

 

[cdahl383]

Sorry I should have mentioned they are grown hens, I was just transitioning them from an open waterer to this one.

I spent some time out there pecking at the waterer with my finger and showing them how it works. I didn’t have any luck, but my wife did later on. Most of them seem to get it now. We’ll see how they do tomorrow morning when I let them out of the coop.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What I do is pick up each bird and use their beak to trigger the toggle. After that, just keep an eye on them and ideally you want to see each bird successfully drink from a nipple.

Obviously if the birds aren't easy to handle, or too numerous, that won't be easy to do, so if that's the case just monitor the best you can to ensure that no one is getting dehydrated.