How to get my chickens to use nipple waterer?

[efowl24]

When I moved them to the run from the brooder, I took a 5 gallon bucket and drilled holes for the little cups waterers to go into, but they got so dirty so fast. Even with me wiping them out and dumping them every day they would get so nasty, and in the summer mosquitoes would lay their eggs in there. So, I tried to swap the little cups out for nipple waterers. They just couldn’t get the hang of it. I probably made the mistake of leaving a cup or two still on the bucket and only changed the majority to nipples, but I was afraid they’d not be able to figure it out and go without water. I would tap them to get water to come out to show them how it would work, and it occasionally would get one of them to come peck at it, but then they wouldn’t use it once I stopped. Is there a better way to get them to learn? Or is my best bet to just remove all cups and replace them with nipples and keep tapping to get the water out until someone comes and learns and hope the rest follow? Are there certain nipple waterers that work best?

Also, while talking about water, what do yall use for water dishes in the winter in freezing temps? I’m wanting to get some kind of heated waterer but not sure what’s best. Lots of them seem to have the nipples, which is another reason I’m wanting to get this taken care of before we get freezing temps haha

 

[thecatumbrella]

Premier 1 makes a heated horizontal nipple waterer. It's high quality, and a good incentive to teach them how to use it now. When I transition my pullets to horizontal nipples (in the fall), I start by replacing their regular waterers with the new nipple style for several hours each afternoon. This ensures everyone gets a drink at least in the morning and before bed. Keep tapping and drawing them over when you get a chance. Some birds just take longer than others to get the hang of it. Once I'm confident they're all drinking from it, I'll make it the permanent waterer.

Nipple height also matters. Try to get it at or a little below beak level; not overhead or something they need to extend their necks to use. Some brands are also more difficult to depress. The RentACoop brand has worked well for my girls.

Good luck! I know it can be slow going, but it's worth the effort.