How much water ?

[Ponte]

My five pullets are all laying which I assume raises their water intake compare to before they started laying. I am having to refill the two water bowls two to three times per day.
Having to refill bowls that often concerns me so am looking for larger bowls or another way to keep water always available to them. I tried a 5 gallon bucket with nipples but they refused to use it.
How much water do five pullets who lay a total of 28 eggs per week drink per day?

 

[azygous]

You likely gave up too soon on your spoiled darlings getting used to nipple waterers. Probably you were worried they would become seriously dehydrated in the few hours of thirst that would be required as an incentive for them to learn something new. I suggest you try it again.

You certainly don't need to juggle water in the winter as it freezes, hauling replacement water several times a day as I was doing. Perhaps if you did, you would have had more of an incentive for waiting the chickens out while they learned to use the nipples.

Having a large store of water is a wise idea where it gets so warm that chickens will be in a lot of trouble if they run out. Water in nipple tanks stays nice and clean and bacteria free, which is a good incentive for you to let the chickens learn the nipple system.

And lastly, darnnit, you're worth it. You have better things to do than to keep hauling water for a bunch of lazy, spoiled chickens.

 

[Ponte]

my wife and daughters would agree with you that I spoil them.
I will again try the nipple bucket tomorrow.
How long can they be without drinking before it becomes an issue ?

 

[azygous]

I've been here on BYC a very long time, and have never heard of chickens becoming dehydrated or dying of thirst while learning to drink from nipples. The vertical nipples are a little easier since they operate by gravity. The horizontal nipples take slightly longer since they're spring loaded. But a thirsty chicken will figure it out in just a few hours as long as you don't weaken and give them their bowls back.

 

[Ponte]

I put the nipple bucket out today. Flicked the nipples a few times, one of the pullets came over and started drinking.

There is a reason I rely on this site, thanks.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I put the nipple bucket out today. Flicked the nipples a few times, one of the pullets came over and started drinking.

Just keep an eye on them to make sure that everyone is drinking. Some birds might be a little slower on the uptake than the others. But generally if you can get the lead bird or a higher ranked bird to start, the others will follow.

 

[Bknobel]

my wife and daughters would agree with you that I spoil them.
I will again try the nipple bucket tomorrow.
How long can they be without drinking before it becomes an issue ?

Ok I’m really new. What’s a nipple bucket

 

[rosemarythyme]

What’s a nipple bucket

https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/premier-1-heated-poultry-waterer.11903/cover-image would be an example of a commercial one.

 

[Bknobel]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/reviews/premier-1-heated-poultry-waterer.11903/cover-image would be an example of a commercial one.

Do you have any more pictures or links? I’m on an island in Caribbean and am going to have to build something? Thanks for the help.

 

[azygous]

You can buy the nipples and install them on any container you have lying about. I've made waterers from soda bottles and large plastic buckets. Nipples come in a variety of styles. Horizontal spring loaded and vertical gravity feed. All you need to do is drill a hole and screw in the nipple. Cheap and easy. https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=poultry+nipples