Nipple Water Bucket

[Chick0909]

I purchased a "nipple bucket" after having used the gallon water jugs. How can I teach the chickens to use the nipples? I have tried the laser pointer but they just don't seem to get it.

 

[citygirl180]

Having the same problem.... Got the cups and they are just not getting it. It's 110 out so I don't feel comfortable taking away their other water container to force them to figure it out. I try showing them, picking them up and putting their beaks in the cups... No idea how to "teach" them!

 

[tracecom]

My chickens had no trouble learning the nipple system. For the first few weeks, they drank from a small conventional waterer (Mason jar style.) Then, at about four or five weeks, I simply substituted a nipple drinker and showed them by holding them in my hand, and gently pushing their beak into the nipple until they got some water in their mouth and swallowed.

The two latest chicks didn't learn at the same pace, however. The little pullet "got it" right away and immediately understood that she had to peck at the metal valve release, but the cockerel seemed to think that pecking anywhere on the red plastic would release water. For the first couple of hours, he would wait for her to peck and release water, and then he would drink, but now he hits the "sweet spot" with no trouble.

I have been keeping my own chickens for only a year, and am still learning. Just last month, I started letting my year old flock out to free range more. In the past, they had to go back inside the coop to have access to the nipple drinkers, but this year, as an afterthought, I filled a two gallon bucket brimming full, and put it in the shade outside. They love it so much that I feel like I should have done it long ago. They gather around the bucket and drink like it's the best thing ever. I still prefer the nipple drinkers inside the coop, but plan to find a way to allow them freer access to water outdoors.

 

[pdirt]

Having the same problem.... Got the cups and they are just not getting it. It's 110 out so I don't feel comfortable taking away their other water container to force them to figure it out. I try showing them, picking them up and putting their beaks in the cups... No idea how to "teach" them!

If it's 110, I would wait until it cools down, perhaps below 90.

The quickest way to teach them to use the nipples is to remove ALL other water sources. Tapping the nipples so at least one chicken sees the water dripping as you do this will help speed it up. Then wait. Don't give in after a couple hours. It can take up to 12 hours or more for them to figure it out. I'd say that if they haven't figured it out in 5-6 hours when it is 90, then wait until it's 75 to wait for 12 hours.

But it seems dangerous to try when it is over 100F.

OR, or can just leave the nipple bucket and another water source. Over days or weeks, they might eventually figure it out. They might not, though. The nipples are not as easy to drink from as an open waterer. My birds usually prefer an open waterer over the nipples.

As far as picking up birds and placing their beak on the nipple or in the cup, I think it depends upon how comfortable the bird is at being handled. Some birds want nothing to do with being handled, will get stressed are not in a frame of mind to learn something new, despite your best intentions. Flick the nipples or trip the cup lever so they see the water being released as you do this. As soon as one bird learns, and no other water choice is available, they will all learn quickly.

 

[new user]

Which nipple system is it?

Just the red one with the metal nipple or is the the cup and nipple set up?

I run a cup and nipple set up and they took to it fairly quickly.

But if it is that hot out I think I would find some other time to try and get them to learn a new system. Or buy the cup and nipple combo

 

[Chick0909]

I am using the vertical nipple system. I tried holding one of the hens and she did get some water on her beak but she wasn't going to have anything to do with that! I have even tried using a laser pointer, no luck there either.
With the weather being quite warm, I think I will keep the traditional waterers out as well as the nipple bucket.
Thanks for all the responses!

 

[blueeyedmercy]

I tried all of the above and nothing worked for my chickens.

This morning I finally decided to trick them into thinking I had a treat for them (I always hand feed treats and they seem to be more people friendly because of it).
I held a rock in my fingers near the waterer and they started pecking at it. I slowly moved over near one of the nipples until one of them finally pecked it by "accident" and then lost interest in the rock because she'd rather have water! It was the most wonderful moment when I knew they understood how to do it. Once one of them gets it the rest will follow.

 

[DiBs2804]

Since ours are so curious the Hubby was tapping the nipples and then they all started to come over and tap with their beaks...once they saw they could get water they sorta lost their minds! Lol...now they have no prob..we even put in frozen water bottles to keep it cool since its over 100 here