I am in need of a watering system for 10 chickens. I like the idea of the little cups attached to 5 gallon bucket they appear like they would stay cleaner is this accurate? How hard is it to get them to use it right now they are just a couple weeks old but they aren't as easy to tame as I was hoping they'd be. I am wondering if instead of the 5 gal bucket if I could use a clear storage tote (so I and whoever is chicken babysitting can easily see the water level is good without disturbing the while things). Or would a clear container more easily grow algae etc vs a 5 gal bucket? Also will a duck use the little cups as well? I am less concerned with them as they have a regularly cleaned out baby pool of water and they too did not tame down (even after raising them in my home for the first 2 months of their lives :|). And if the cups work which brand is best? I also looked at different options like the ones pictured. I also no not have electricity to the coop for keeping water thawed in winter and have to carry the refill water from the nearest hydrant that is not very close.
I am new to chickens and did a lot of research and after going through the "run of the mill waterers" and seeing them CONSTANTLY dirty, I found the nipple waterers! These are so nice! My chicks are still currently in their brooder and it keeps the pine shavings nice and dry and my chicks have a constant supply of clean water. They are easy to install... 1 nipple per 5 birds.... and you need a relatively "rigid" bucket (not a milk jug). Just drill you some holes, screw in your nipples, get some silicone adhesive ( the waterproof stuff ) seal around all the nipples from the outside, let dry for 12 hours... and you're ready to go!! They don't really need training to them. Just take away their old waterer and they naturally peck at the shiny nipples and VOILA! Oh and make sure you have some vent holes so they water can come out. HOPE THIS HELPS!
I'm sold on the horizontal nipples in a 5 gallon bucket. Cheap and super efficient. Chicks caught on to them very quickly.
Nipple waterers are easy to train chickens on but I personally dislike them. Eventually they'll leak all over
I'm relatively new to chickens also, had them for two years now. I worry that the chickens don't drink as much with the nipple type waters.
I have 9 hens and use a 5 gallon water jug with 2 horizontal nippels on it. They work great i free range several hours each day and they usual empty it about once a week.
