Nipple Waterer Qs

[dtimms]

I LOVED my nipple waterer made out of a gallon milk jug... used it for over a year, but suddenly they started leaking. And not from the grommet, from the actual nipple. Just dripping all the time. So I ordered new ones (and paid that ridiculous shipping from FarmTek), but they do the exact same thing! Any thoughts??? Sorry to highjack the thread, but it seems like all the nipple experts are here...

 

[BWKatz]

Quote:
One nipple for four hens is enough unless the one nipple has a problem. If so your babies may do without water until you notice the problem. I also started with just one nipple then someone here brought that idea to my attention. Now I always have a minimum of 2 nipples. Just something to think about.

Thanks for the suggestion. I always check on my chicks during the day.I take treats out midday and like when we had 100'sF temps this summer,chged out their ice bottles several times too. I know not everyone has this luxury so it's a great suggestion. I was really watching my pennies by the time I got to my waterer and the only nipple I could find was the Avian water miser which is kinda expensive at $15 each.But it really works well and doesn't leak.

 

[nurturingnaturally]

Not to hijack your post, but...how high should the nipples be in relation to the birds? I have 2/3ish weeks old chicks, varying greatly in size right now. Should they have to reach up/down/not at all... Any suggestions for a container for in a 2ft tall brooder?

 

[BWKatz]

Put at head ht. Feed should be at back ht or lower.

 

[BWKatz]

U couls use a sm plastic peanut butter jar to put the nipple in the bottom & fill from top.

 

[gryeyes]

Okay, I will share my ugly secret about nipple waterers in brooders: I have the brooder box (Rubbermaid bin, 54 gallon size) up against a wall in my bathroom. I take one of those curved "Hercules Hooks" that you push into the wall and turn, as if I was going to hang a picture on the wall over the brooder.

I take an empty, hard plastic drinking water bottle, not the flimsy ones, but ones you buy in the Expensive Water section of the grocery, and drill two small holes on opposite sides of the bottle at the very bottom.

String poly cord or wire through those holes.

Install the poultry nipple IN THE BOTTLE CAP, then fill the bottle with water over the sink, because some will spurt/leak out of the drilled holes in the bottom of the bottle. Put the cap with the nipple on the bottle. Hang the bottle onto the Hercules Hook so it is far enough down into the brooder for the chicks to use.

The holes for the "hanger" cord or wire will serve as the vacuum break, and you can raise the bottle as the chicks grow.

The nipple should be just slightly ABOVE the shortest chick's head. They lift their heads to tap the metal "spigot" thingie.

 

[maggiemooscluckers]

My brooder is 3'x5' x2'tall. It is covered with chicken wire and housed 27 chicks quite well. I installed the waterer that I was going to use in the big girl coop using a 5 gal bucket that I supported on top of the brooder. I then cut a small hole in the wire and inserted the hose that was attached to the bottom of the bucket. To that I connected a piece of pvc with 4 nipples attached and wired it to the inside wall of the brooder. By doing it this way I eliminated having to use small waterers and I was able to raise the pvc upward as the chicks grew. When they moved out of the brooder the watering system went with them. I started out with the usual chick waterer and decided that I didn't like cleaning the silly thing several times a day. I then started using a small plastic thermos that I installed nipples into the bottom. The problem there was that in order to not let the chicks run out of water I had to keep watch on the thermos'. Those buggers can drink a lot of water. With the bucket I ended all the bother and worry. I will be replacing the system into the brooder when it's time to get more chicks. Wouldn't do it any other way.

 

[eagleriver24]

I ordered from QC Supply online and got both kinds - The one piece orange ones and the 2 piece take apart nipples. The take apart nipples are the worst. My hens keep knocking the metal weight that holds the nipple in place right out of the housing and all the water drains out. The one piece ones work perfect.

Has anyone else had this problem? I would order the one piece ones for QC Supply and call it good.