With the winter here, I have decided it will be easier to get a galvanized waterer with a heated base instead of using the nipple waterers.
I could keep my water from freezing with my nipple waterer, but the nipples were not always un-frozen. A drop would freeze here & there & they would lock up. (I have decided not to heat my coop with a heat lamp)
Also, even when they werent frozen, as soon as I let the hens out, they would go running to the pond and start gulping. Frankly, I dont think they were satisfied with the amount of water they were getting from the nipples.
I put a regular plastic waterer in there yesterday & bam! They all gathered around it slurping it up.
That was it.
Now, I do believe it was a **godsend** for when they were chicks and I will definately train new chicks on the nipple waterer.
It kept their brooder dry, they always had CLEAN water and no little babies drowning. Drives me nuts to see filthy water with the little ones, but its inevitable I guess with the dirty little buggers.....
I think the drip from the nipple was adequate for them as little ones and plus it kind of gave them something to peck at besides each other....
Just thought I'd post my observations, in case anyone was considering this type of watering system.
I could keep my water from freezing with my nipple waterer, but the nipples were not always un-frozen. A drop would freeze here & there & they would lock up. (I have decided not to heat my coop with a heat lamp)
Also, even when they werent frozen, as soon as I let the hens out, they would go running to the pond and start gulping. Frankly, I dont think they were satisfied with the amount of water they were getting from the nipples.
I put a regular plastic waterer in there yesterday & bam! They all gathered around it slurping it up.
That was it.
Now, I do believe it was a **godsend** for when they were chicks and I will definately train new chicks on the nipple waterer.
It kept their brooder dry, they always had CLEAN water and no little babies drowning. Drives me nuts to see filthy water with the little ones, but its inevitable I guess with the dirty little buggers.....
I think the drip from the nipple was adequate for them as little ones and plus it kind of gave them something to peck at besides each other....
Just thought I'd post my observations, in case anyone was considering this type of watering system.