Info on nipple waterers in coop

[mclemm]

I have finally completed my 6x12 chicken tractor except for the watering system. I copied an idea I saw on line of a 5 gallon bucket with a hose leading to a 6' pvc pipe with 6 watering nipples.
My question is , how high from the ground do I suspend the nipples for the babies as they transition to the new "home"? Also how do I teach them to use the nipples after drinking from a watering bowl for the first part of their life?
Thanks

 

[pdirt]

Welcome to BYC

Tip: update your profile to include your location (even your state will help), this will help people give you more helpful answers

If you live someplace where it freezes, the bucket-tube-nipple idea is much more difficult to pull off. The vertical nipples freeze very easily. You will need to heat the bucket with a de-icer to keep the water thawed and then install a submersible pump with tubing that goes all the way down to the nipples, so the water circulates and reduces the chance of freezing.

Do you live somewhere where it freezes regularly in winter?

As for "training" them...just remove all other water sources. Thirst will drive them to find water. Jiggle the nipples a few times so that they see the water drip from them. Don't do this (remove all other water) during hot weather, wait until it cools down.

 

[mclemm]

It doesn't freeze much here, but certainly can. What would you recommend?

 

[pdirt]

If it doesn't freeze much where you are, I wouldn't worry about setting up an elaborate freeze-proof system for your watering system. Instead on freezing days, just supply them with an old fashioned waterer or a plastic tub. Unless it is really cold (such as below 10F), a regular waterer won't freeze in a few hours. You may need to check on it occasionally just to be sure it's not freezing. Also, bring it indoors at night so it doesn't freeze overnight.

 

[pdirt]

Also, the horizontal nipples are far less prone to freezing than the vertical ones. The horizontal ones look like this:

 

[mclemm]

I can't find anywhere hiw high from the ground to mount them for a mixed population of breed and age