Making a chick nipple waterer

The cups freeze easily.
I have a metal waterer with a heated metal base for the winter months. From what I understand, all the nipple water systems would freeze. I have been considering making a 5 gallon bucket with either horizontal nipples or cups to use out in the run during the non-winter months. Cups appear to be more natural, but I would go with whatever works better for the chickens. So many options....
 
I had horizontal nipples on a five gallon bucket setting on a a heater pan this winter. Worked great. I got the idea from the Buckeye breeder that my chickens came from.
 
Hubby drilled holes and inserted nipples. hang from low perch. This is in addition to the regular bucket waterers that we have on the ground, for safety so we don't run out. Hens took to them readily, but prefer the buckets!
bucket.JPG
 
I had horizontal nipples on a five gallon bucket setting on a a heater pan this winter. Worked great. I got the idea from the Buckeye breeder that my chickens came from.

How cold did it get for you this past winter? The metal waterer and metal heated base I bought is supposed to keep the water from freezing till about +12F, but this past winter we had 2 weeks that were down to -30F to -40F. I suspect I will be hauling warm water and dumping it in rubber pans for the chickens when it gets that cold. That was about the coldest spell I can remember in many years, but it happens. I can get a heater base that will also work for plastic buckets, but the one I currently have says it is for metal waterers only.
 
@gtaus The cups will freeze. Horizontal nipples with a non floating stock tank deicer is what you need for your cold climate. Some on here use this set up to at least -20 with no problems.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ock-tank-deicer-and-horizontal-nipples.74609/

Thanks for the info. I was undecided about chicken nipple options, but had ruled out the vertical nipples for a homemade 5 gallon bucket. I just know that sooner or later I would put the bucket down on the vertical nipples and break them. Thanks for the link.
 

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