New waterer

[lleeme]

The 3 adult chickens (2 hens and a ) had been fed and watered in cut off 5 gallon buckets. If I feed them in one of those small meter feeders with the holes in the top they knock it over. I gave up and will use a metal pan till I find something better.

However, I got a drip waterer and now I am worried if they are using it. I did but a line to mark where the water is this afternoon, but can they learn the new method? Is there a sign of dehydration I can watch for? TIA

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes chickens can learn to use a new waterer but what's a drip waterer? Is that a type of nipple waterer, or...?

 

[lleeme]

Yes chickens can learn to use a new waterer but what's a drip waterer? Is that a type of nipple waterer, or...?

Nipple, it holds 3.5 gallons and has 4 nipples.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Nipple, it holds 3.5 gallons and has 4 nipples.

What I'd do is pick up each bird and use their beak to toggle the nipple, then allow them to drink a couple of drops. OR if the birds are difficult to grab/pick up, you can also wait until they're nearby and looking at the waterer, then use your finger to toggle the nipple and allow them to drink up the droplets. Do that a few times.

They should be able to figure it out from there, but I'd keep an eye on them to try and catch them drinking, to know for sure they've gotten the hang of it.

 

[lleeme]

What I'd do is pick up each bird and use their beak to toggle the nipple, then allow them to drink a couple of drops. OR if the birds are difficult to grab/pick up, you can also wait until they're nearby and looking at the waterer, then use your finger to toggle the nipple and allow them to drink up the droplets. Do that a few times.

They should be able to figure it out from there, but I'd keep an eye on them to try and catch them drinking, to know for sure they've gotten the hang of it.

No picking up happening here. They totally freak if I go in the henhouse and it is 6.5' by 8'. I put a mark where the water level was this afternoon. Will check tomorrow to see if there is a change. The chicks use the one that came in the everything you need for chicks box. I have it hung from the top, I shorted it more today, they seem to get straw and wood shavings in it all the time.

 

[rosemarythyme]

No picking up happening here. They totally freak if I go in the henhouse and it is 6.5' by 8'. I put a mark where the water level was this afternoon. Will check tomorrow to see if there is a change.

Ok, then that'll have to do. And if you're wandering by see if you can peek in without disturbing them to see if they're exploring the waterer at all.

 

[3KillerBs]

Bait the nipples by wedging a mealworm, a sunflower seed, etc. into the nipple so that they discover that it's wet when they take the treat.

Make sure that they have access to their normal waterer for a few hours before roost time so that they don't go to bed thirsty.

It often takes a few days for them to learn to use the new waterer.