Nipple Waterer training

[msw1208]

Hello all,
First off, I want to say thanks to everyone! I have been combing through these forums for years and it's been such a blessing to have so much knowledge in one spot!

On to the nipple Waterer... I have a month(or so) old Serama chick that I have been having trouble getting to use the water nipple. I have three birds in the brooder and the other two took on to them with ease. But my baby Serama keeps going in search of water underneath the water nipples. I've taken the other waterer away and tried a laser pen. Is there anything else I can try? I'm trying so hard to get them ready to go outside and this is the one little hiccup.
Thank you for any other suggestions you might have.

 

[pennyJo1960]

For one I do not like that style I only use Horizontal bought mine off Amazon mine did not do well straight down and they often fail at least mine did
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074FZXS3M/?tag=backy-20

 

[msw1208]

For one I do not like that style I only use Horizontal bought mine off Amazon mine did not do well straight down and they often fail at least mine did
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074FZXS3M/?tag=backy-20

Do you find chicks still looking for water below the nipple? I can't tell if she acknowledges that the nipple is there.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Nope have 13 6 week old saw the silkie use them I had not tried to teach them yet saw 6 run over working them boy was I impressed they are lg cochin and speckled sussex

 

[rosemarythyme]

The "direct" way I train them is to pick them up and press their beak against the trigger enough to let a little water out. Let them lick it up the droplet, repeat. It still might take a while, it took me maybe 6 weeks to train a crossbeaked bird to a horizontal nipple, she was making do by waiting for others to drink and then sneaking in and drinking off the side, but I needed to make sure she could manage for herself.

 

[msw1208]

The "direct" way I train them is to pick them up and press their beak against the trigger enough to let a little water out. Let them lick it up the droplet, repeat. It still might take a while, it took me maybe 6 weeks to train a crossbeaked bird to a horizontal nipple, she was making do by waiting for others to drink and then sneaking in and drinking off the side, but I needed to make sure she could manage for herself.

Thanks for the tip. I pulled all other water sources and am monitoring her actions now. She now will go up to it with the other two and use it while they are, but won't go to it by herself. I'll keep watching her for the next few days, (good ol' fashion fires in Cali shut me out of work for the rest of the week). Maybe next week I can get them in the coop!

 

[pennyJo1960]

same as I do normal but two days ago found this they are still under heat but saw the Silkie they are coop mates just now using them so went hey water all the time and cold as silkie also cover water with shavings if possible these are cochin and speckled sussex but I put 3 nipples in that bucket these are just like 3 or 4 weeks old

 

[50-140]

I use the direct method also, I go around the bucket and press the nozzles so water collects on nipple catch basin. Then I'll choose the one that seems the most intelligent, press her beak against the nipple.
I used to sit in the coop and wait until they all figured it out. Now I see one use it and I'll leave.
I've never had a bird die from dehydration.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I always take new expected to do it with the dirty dozen but was waiting till they get a bit of size these are 4 week olds using them because their big buddies silkies do