Learning to use a nipple waterer?

[jahphotogal]

I made a cool waterer out of a bucket and PVC pipe. The nipples are in the pipe, which sticks in through the fence, so the bucket stays outside where I can easily refill it with the hose. It's been in the coop for a week now, and the pullets have completely ignored it - they still drink from their old waterer. Do I have to "teach" them how to use it? If so, how?

 

[AnotherSusan]

I have the same problem. I installed the nipples on the bottom of a bucket and was going to catch a few to teach them how to drink, but decided to work on the house more first and fell and broke my leg and ankle.
I have someone filling their old waterer and they report the nipple waterer still at the same level. It's been 2 weeks and will be another 3 weeks before I am mobile enough to work with them again. I thought by now some would have tried it out of curiosity.
My helper is my husband who is a reluctant chicken farmer

 

[alerievay]

I just got 8-week-old pullets on Monday, so I'm a very new chicken farmer. I have 2 bucket waterers with 3 nipples each. I didn't put another waterer in with them, and I periodically went out and tapped on the nipples. They figured it out within a couple of hours without any problems. I had a back-up in case it took them too long, since it was a hot day. You may just need to take the old waterer out.

 

[jahphotogal]

I'd be nervous taking their water away - I guess I'll try to call their attention to it!