New nipple waterer

[millerchix]

I got a new drip/nipple waterer for my girls. A few things I have concerns about.

1) will they learn to drink from it?

2) how high should it hang?

3) the nipples do drip slowly when no hen is drinking, should that be happening?

4) do I need to worry about the nipples freezing in the winter?

 

[BYCforlife]

All I know is,

You should let your chickens see the water come out of it, they will learn to drink out of it as soon as one does it.

 

[millerchix]

All I know is,

You should let your chickens see the water come out of it, they will learn to drink out of it as soon as one does it.

I did press the nipples to show the water so I hope that works. They just look a bit lost. Maybe I'm just worrying too much.

 

[blackdog043]

I got a new drip/nipple waterer for my girls. A few things I have concerns about.

1) will they learn to drink from it?
Yes, take their other water source away and tap the nipples.

2) how high should it hang?
high enough, so they can stand and tilt their head up to hit the nipple

3) the nipples do drip slowly when no hen is drinking, should that be happening?
No, but the vertical nipples usually have problems with that.

4) do I need to worry about the nipples freezing in the winter?

Yes, if they are vertical nipples.

In my opinion, you would have been better off getting horizontal nipples from amazon and making your own waterer. They don't usually have leaking problems and you can add a bucket heater and they won't freeze.

 

[millerchix]

Yes, if they are vertical nipples.

In my opinion, you would have been better off getting horizontal nipples from amazon and making your own waterer. They don't usually have leaking problems and you can add a bucket heater and they won't freeze.
View attachment 1109236

I didn't realize there was a horizontal nipple also!

 

[millerchix]

Our old metal water fount was getting rusty so I heard this was better. I'm concerned if it is going to leak the whole time though!

 

[blackdog043]

It is likely going to always leak. You could try to flush water through each nipple to make sure there is nothing keeping it open. They are known to leak though. In my opinion, that's why they are so cheap to buy. If you can take the waterer back, I would and make your own.
horizontal nipples from Amazon
food grade bucket from Lowes
Gamma lid from Lowes: this makes it easy to refill, screw the lid down, then back it off 1/4 turn so it can vent.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I got a new drip/nipple waterer for my girls. A few things I have concerns about.

1) will they learn to drink from it?

2) how high should it hang?

3) the nipples do drip slowly when no hen is drinking, should that be happening?

4) do I need to worry about the nipples freezing in the winter?

I also have the horizontal from amazon started with the vertical but they leak even with a bit of caulk on them... I do caulk mine even the horizontal but through out the vertical ones

 

[barred2rock]

I got a new drip/nipple waterer for my girls. A few things I have concerns about.

1) will they learn to drink from it?

2) how high should it hang?

3) the nipples do drip slowly when no hen is drinking, should that be happening?

4) do I need to worry about the nipples freezing in the winter?

1) Yes, you can "peck" the nipples with a finger. Mine caught on immediately (as baby chicks).

2) Just high enough that the shortest chicken has to reach for the nipple. Chickens need to tilt their heads up to get the water to go down. Best if they're not bending down to get the water.

3) No, some nipples can be adjusted to let more or less water out. My vertical nipple waterer has never leaked. I use the Harris Farm (adjustable) nipples found at Tractor Supply.

4) Yes, you'll need to find a way to heat the water above freezing. Stock tank heaters in 5 gallon buckets work well. Horizontal nipples are less likely to freeze than vertical.