How to switch my chickens to a nipple waterer

[Farmer Mike S]

I have 5 chickens, 9 weeks old. I am on my last nerve with poop and pine shaving always getting in the water so I got a nipple waterer. I am wondering how I should switch over to it, I don't want my chickens to dehydrate and die. They are contained to a run so they don't have access to outside water either.

 

[Rich386]

I have 5 chickens, 9 weeks old. I am on my last nerve with poop and pine shaving always getting in the water so I got a nipple waterer. I am wondering how I should switch over to it, I don't want my chickens to dehydrate and die. They are contained to a run so they don't have access to outside water either.

If the other water source is removed in most cases they are using the nipples in an hour or so. In most cases if they are not using them you hung it too low and they can't use it. They have to have them over their heads if you are using vertical type. Horizontal nipples will work at almost any height. Hope this helps.

 

[Skiier47]

Whats the difference between vertical and horizontal nipples?

 

[Rich386]

Whats the difference between vertical and horizontal nipples?

Vertical nipples depend on a weight to seal. My girls pushed the weights out the back of the stainless ones. A lot of the plastic ones leak the weight gets stuck or chemicals in the water get on the seat. They also need to be hung so the hens can get under them to drink. That takes up space.
Horizontal Nipples have a spring and a rubber seal so they have a positive seal. They can be mounted flush to a wall taking up no floor space.