Nipple Waterer Training?

[LoneOak]

To get your birds to learn and drink with the nipple waters as quickly as possible you HAVE TO REMOVE THEIR OLD WATERER. Chickens will always go to what they are familiar with and used to, they will drink out of a muddy poopy puddle many times before they switch to something new. Show your birds the new waterers and stick their beak up against it so a bunch of water runs out. Remove the old waterer and leave them be. When they get thirsty they will begun searching for water and if you have a small leak or drip they will find it first, so make it where it don't leak. Pretty soon someone will peck on a nipple and realize its got water in it. While she's drinking one of her sisters will see it and your problem is solved.

For another tip, stop paying inflated prices by buying through Ebay and go directly to CoopsNMore, one of the biggest ebay sellers and buy direct. They have 4 pages of feeders and waterers with a complete 4 nipple system on pg 4.

Before you get mad at a nipple that leaks take it apart and make sure there is no trash around the chrome ball. Make sure you put it back together right, the long stem goes on the top, next the ball and the short stem on the bottom,

 

[Mehjr10]

Here is mine, 1 55 gallon rain barrel, 3 feet of 2 id pvc pipe with 4 nipples drilled and tapped into it.. Ran it all winter with a heat tape to keep all from freezing. The Soda Bottle is what I start my chicks with on their 3rd day. Take away the other water and they will use it.. I bought mine from CCOnly.com

 

[Ellochicken]

Just curious as well, I've seen nipple waterers, and I just wondered how they get the water. I know it comes from the nipple itself, but does it squirt in their mouth or does it drip when they peck at it. Do they get an actual 'drink' from it, or do they have to peck it multiple times to get a good gulp? I'm just worried that the water will go more on the floor of the coop than it will into the mouths of my thirsty hens that will be with me next year.
Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, I've never used a nipple waterer for my hens, and although I've heard a lot of good feedback about the nipple waterers, I would like to be very sure about it.
Thanks for understanding!

-Ellochicken

 

[Mehjr10]

Just curious as well, I've seen nipple waterers, and I just wondered how they get the water. I know it comes from the nipple itself, but does it squirt in their mouth or does it drip when they peck at it. Do they get an actual 'drink' from it, or do they have to peck it multiple times to get a good gulp? I'm just worried that the water will go more on the floor of the coop than it will into the mouths of my thirsty hens that will be with me next year. Sorry if this seems like a stupid question, I've never used a nipple waterer for my hens, and although I've heard a lot of good feedback about the nipple waterers, I would like to be very sure about it. Thanks for understanding! -Ellochicken

I have about 80 birds, including guineas and mallards all drinking from nipples. If the water Squirts out then the pressure is too high.. You will get some drips while they are drinking which they do by pecking at the shinny button.. I start mine out at about 3 days of age.. I live in TN where the summers are hot and they have plenty of water, and no issues so. far. I do not water mine in the coop but in the run.

 

[Ellochicken]

I have about 80 birds, including guineas and mallards all drinking from nipples. If the water Squirts out then the pressure is too high.. You will get some drips while they are drinking which they do by pecking at the shinny button.. I start mine out at about 3 days of age.. I live in TN where the summers are hot and they have plenty of water, and no issues so. far. I do not water mine in the coop but in the run.

Wow! I'm in visiting TN at the moment! What a coincidence! But they do get a good amount of water in their beaks when they peck the nipple, right?

-Ellochicken

 

[LoneOak]

Quote:
Yes and if they are still thirsty they will continue to peck the nipple until they are satisfied.

Like Mehjr10 said, I also use the nipples outside so a few drips just go in to the dirt. If I have to have drinkers inside I use the Drinker cups. Nipples outside, cups inside and in my experience if they know how to use one they don't have any problems with the other and are happy to use the one closest to where they are when they need a drink.

 

[Mehjr10]

They will drink until they are satisfied, When it rains they will still drink from the puddles but I think that is hardwired somewhere in their brain. As mentioned in my previous post, i collect rain water and that is all they have had in the nipple system since i set it up. Give it a try. Have fun in TN , what part are you in?

 

[Rich386]

Hello!
I am SO DONE with poop in the waterer, so the feed store suggested a nipple waterer. I did my research, and we have a plan for building a waterer from PVC pipes. What I want to know is, will the chickens teach themselves how to use it?

And, if anyone answering this who has a nipple water system, where did you get the nipples? Or what are they called?

Yes they will teach themselves most learn in less than an hour. The trick is to remove any other source of water. The horizontal nipples here on BYC can be mounted flush to the wall so the birds can't roost on the pipe. They are spring loaded with a rubber seat so they don't leak. Here is a sketch of how you can set it up. If you want to make it auto fill I also have the valves.

 

[Rich386]

Hello!
I am SO DONE with poop in the waterer, so the feed store suggested a nipple waterer. I did my research, and we have a plan for building a waterer from PVC pipes. What I want to know is, will the chickens teach themselves how to use it?

And, if anyone answering this who has a nipple water system, where did you get the nipples? Or what are they called?

Yes they will teach themselves most learn in less than an hour. The trick is to remove any other source of water. The horizontal nipples here on BYC can be mounted flush to the wall so the birds can't roost on the pipe. They are spring loaded with a rubber seat so they don't leak. Here is a sketch of how you can set it up. If you want to make it auto fill I also have the valves.

 

[1cityslicker]

As suggested, remove all other forms of water and ensure that the placement of the nipples is in a central location that's easily accessible. I have a rain barrel that has PVC running from the bottom of it with nipples attached and also a 5gl bucket with four nipples on the bottom of it. As chicks they got it immediately. When I bought some pullets and put them outside they got it right away as well. All it takes is one of the chickens to start and the rest will follow. Chicken see chicken do..