My Chickens just don't get it!!!

[Al Gerhart]

I get an occasional email asking if their chickens are too stupid to use our feeder and have learned to ask for pictures before answering. As one or two commenters already pointed out having other sources of water or food while trying to train birds to use a preferred method is usually the problem. The problem isn't that the chickens are stupid.... and I better stop right there.

First thing I would do before you give up on a particular style of waterer/feeder is to first go back and re read the directions and see if you are following the the instructions. People naturally fall into two groups; those that read the instructions and those that toss them in the trash. Fact is that the manufacturer wants you to succeed and has usually put a lot of time and attention to writing the instructions. They have dealth with thousands of customers, you have never dealt with their product in most cases. Who do you think is going to know best?

 

[Baumshell28]

Thank you, I just ordered them.

How’s it going with the new cups?

 

[FluffyBottomBantams]

You could try putting some sort of treat in the little cup too. that’s how I teach my birds about any new waterer. I chuck a couple meal worms in the tray because they float and the chicken comes over to eat them and simultaneously sticks her beak in the water and bam she found it. That’s just a suggestion but it may be worth a try I hope those other cups work out for you!!

 

[rjkold]

Yeah I bought those too. The yellow tabs didn’t fill the cups quickly enough. I would hold them down and fill the cup. The chicks would then drink the water but it wouldn’t refill cause they didn’t hit the yellow thing. So I bought a food quality 5 gallon bucket and installed horizontal water nipples. I took each chick and touched her beak to the nipple. They didn’t need a second lesson.

I just made this for my three 7 week old chickens. I tried pushing the nipple to have water come out. They ran over and drank what little came out but they weren't trying to hit the nipple. I'll try your method of touching their beak to the nipple. Thanks!

 

[Doc7]

I just made this for my three 7 week old chickens. I tried pushing the nipple to have water come out. They ran over and drank what little came out but they weren't trying to hit the nipple. I'll try your method of touching their beak to the nipple. Thanks!

Just shove their beak against the side of it. Don't peck it IN, push it OVER. I show this in this video. Show them and remove all other water sources.

 

[Baumshell28]

I just made this for my three 7 week old chickens. I tried pushing the nipple to have water come out. They ran over and drank what little came out but they weren't trying to hit the nipple. I'll try your method of touching their beak to the nipple. Thanks!

I think my hens are sooo friendly & tame more due to that waterer than any treats I hand fed them. I’d visit their brooder many times a day; 2 or 3 times to hold down the stems & fill the cups, other times for treats & taming. They only ever swarmed to me when I’d grab the plastic knife to hold the yellow stems open. I’m so glad I switched to the stemless cups...they’re a God-send!

 

[Wormhunter]

Following! I just a few watering nipples like this for my flock, and they just don't get it. I've done all the same things you have, and am ready to throw in the towel. Frustrating!

We have introduced the watering nipples although we have another water feeder as well, the naughtiest of my 7 girls pecked it first and of course the others came running, they still prefer drinking from my garden water feature and puddles of course, but they do use the nipple method when I lock them in their pen if we’re setting fire to a bonfire( they are fascinated by flames !!!) or if I’m trying to dig ( they see a spade and mount a charge!)

 

[Ihavesomechickens]

The rent-a-coop cup waterers are a trillion times better then the tab ones. Most of the ones where they need to push need more force then the chickens can supply, so they go thirsty. The rent-a-coop ones use a whole different mechanism that works way better and is easier for the the chickens to use.

 

[Flockincrazy]

New Chick Mom here, I purchased this Watering system for my chickens. They are approx. 3 months old. They cannot figure out how to get the water out. I go out there and hold down the yellow tab and fill the little cups with water a couple of times a day. They come running and drink, drink, drink. I had to buy a different kind of waterer that fills up the rim so that I can be sure they have water all day when I am not home to fill their cups. (They prefer the little cups, for some reason the water stays colder.) I tried showing them how to push the yellow tab down, but they still can't do it. Do you think as they get bigger and their beaks are bigger, they will automatically push it down when they drink?? Any suggestions?

Mine didn't get it at first either but as they are getting older they are figuring it out

 

[byrd95]

I have the exact same waterer! But, I ordered watering cups from RentACoop. Their cups fit the holes on that bucket and they are stem free. The cups fill/refill as the chickens drink and lessen the water level of the cup. Instead of making contact with a stem in the cup to replenish water, the water level is replenished in these cups by a volume or weight difference. I LOVE the combo of that bucket with the RentACoop cups!!!
https://shoprentacoop.com/products/automatic-water-cup-pack-2-pack

Thank you so much for this! I just purchased the 6 pack of them!