Nipple waterer design question....

[jenniemig]

I was told one nipple per 3-4 birds.

I wanna know why the vertical nipples require such a stupid drill bit size!?!!?

I had problems with the drill bit size too. I ended up buying these, they work great and no leaks!

 

[Beekissed]

I just wiggle the drill around in the hole a bit until it's big enough to fit the nipple threads.

 

[Aacre]

I just wiggle the drill around in the hole a bit until it's big enough to fit the nipple threads. 

X2.. Same here!

 

[Brznwench]

Newbie here...my chicks are 6 weeks old and still in the brooder but I made a bucket waterer using instructions found here: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/06/chicken-nipple-waterer-diy-instructions.html. Very easy, took me less than 5 minutes. Sealed them with silcone aquarium safe caulk.

They were using it within seconds! I took out the old waterer...scattered some mealworms under the bucket to bring them over and then tapped one of the nipples to get a drop of water to form. that got their attention and all 6 were enjoying the new experience. Not the greatest picture, but I am pretty proud of it. They are moving this afternoon into to coop and I wanted them to get used to this system before the move. I also made a 2 liter bottle single for the sick pen, if I ever need it.

 

[pdirt]

I just wiggle the drill around in the hole a bit until it's big enough to fit the nipple threads. 

That's a great idea. The vertical nipples I bought listed a specific drill bit size, which we fortunately had. But your suggestion would probably work just as well!

As per leaking vertical nipples, let me clarify. The nipples do not leak when not it use (teflon tape was used but no silicone needed) but the birds themselves drip a LOT of water onto the ground when they use them. We have a mix of LF and banties, so therein lies part of the problem as the height of the bucket is a compromise. I got tired of scooping out the saturated bedding material underneath the waterer bucket and in winter, it just froze into a solid mound of ice and bedding. No such dripping issues during use with the horizontal nipples.

The only drawbacks I see for the horizontal nipples are they're a bit more expensive and cross-beak birds are physically unable to use them (or ducks).

 

[cheepguy]

I still have a bunch of vertical nipples I want to use, but haven't for quite awhile. Can you tell me what size of starter hole to drill to start them. I checked out the vertical units and was taken aback at their cost. Thanks for any help you can give.

Cheepguy