Thanks, I won't throw this out yet - maybe I'll try it again in a few weeks. It sure seems like the chicks peck at the red area more than the silver nipples. I also don't notice any water around the nipples, which makes me think the water is not coming out at all - including the fact that the water line is not dropping. This is the unit I bought, in case anyone else has the same model, I'd love to hear if this works for anyone! https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/1063517-farm-innovators-heated-2-gallon-poultry-drinker.htmlThey may need to be a little bigger to trigger the nipples depending on how stiff said nipples are.
You can mark the water level to see if they're managing to drink when you don't see them doing it.
I find that any time I offer open water my chickens rush for it -- even though they always drink from the nipples.
nipple waterer for chickens?
- Thread starter JNC
- Start date
I'll try it again in a few weeks - hope it works for my chickens before it starts getting really cold. The water level is not dropping at all and I see no water around the nipples.They may need to be a little bigger to trigger the nipples depending on how stiff said nipples are.
You can mark the water level to see if they're managing to drink when you don't see them doing it.
I find that any time I offer open water my chickens rush for it -- even though they always drink from the nipples.
Is there a vacuum-release hole at top above the waterline?
If the lid seals airtight the water can't flow. I made that mistake with my first homemade nipple waterer then realized what I'd done.
That little hole makes a big difference.
I have 3 of these and have used them for years, I do not offer an open waterer at all. I started the chicks on them when they were 4 weeks old, any younger than that & they didn't have the strength to push the nipple. I did try when they were younger & it didn't work so I used a horizontal nipple till they got a little bigger. Your chicks may just need another week or 2.
When you do train them you must remove all other waterers or they won't bother with it (hence everyone saying not to do it when it's hot). I put the waterer in, push the nipples to have a little water in there & then take each bird & tap their beak on the nipple till they swallow a drop. From there they will poke at it - watch & make sure water is coming out & they are sipping, you'll see them tilt their heads back to swallow. Also make sure it's at about back height or a little higher, too low & they can't work it well. When I introduce the nipples I watch them frequently to make sure they are drinking. It usually only takes a couple hours to be confident they are drinking. You'll be able to tell they have it down as it's like a toy to them at first, they play with it & keep going back pecking at it even though they aren't thirsty. The novelty wears off after a couple days.
@3KillerBs - this waterer doesn't have a tiny hole, the lid is loose enough that it doesn't create a vacuum. I have a 5 gal bucket with vertical nipples I use in the summer (the girls LOVE the VN) that I had to drill a hole in, this one doesn't need it.
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Just leave it out for them to investigate.
Have you triggered the pins yourself to make sure it's working?
HollowOfWisps
Previously AstroDuck
I have been using the nipple waterers for my chicks since they were 3 weeks. I took every chick and pushed the nipple with my finger in front of them. Then I gently pushed the nipples with their beak just like I would new chicks into a regular waterer. Within 20 minutes I watched every single chick walk up to the nipple waterer and use it no problem. I check on them 2-3 times a day and there is always a different rotation of 1-2 chicks (15 chicks total) using the waterer. I find it a lot more reliable to measure water intake with the nipple waterer then the regular waterers that were often filled with bedding that was absorbing the water or the chicks were knocking it around spilling it into the brooder. The only change I made was I got mine for $25 on clearance because it didn't come with a lid so I cut a small square of plywood to cover the top. There is little to no resistance on the nipples and an ample amount of water that comes out.
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Not to mention evaporation....another plus for us who need heated water in a winter coop.
Yes. It's hilarious to see my tall Langshan cockerel fold himself up like a camel to drink from one of the lower waterers -- even though I have one at his height with bricks for the shorter chickens to stand on.
That's just something they'll need to learn - the red is supposed to draw their attention in, but they may need to be shown that it's the center they need to peck at to trigger water flow.
I'd also agree that giving them a few more weeks and trying again wouldn't hurt.
x2 what aart said, toggle the nipples yourself and make sure they're dispensing water. If not, remove the lid and test it again - if it works with the lid off then the lid is causing a vacuum and you'll need to add an air intake hole.
Yes, there are holes up where the handle is, one on each side. Considering this $40+ it should work great out of the box!Is there a vacuum-release hole at top above the waterline?
If the lid seals airtight the water can't flow. I made that mistake with my first homemade nipple waterer then realized what I'd done.
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That little hole makes a big difference.
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