nipple waterer

[slikylover]

Hi, I would like to know if i add nipple waterer into my chicken coop will my chicken drink from it automatically or do they need some kind of training before hand, i don't want chickens to dehydrate or die because they don’t know how to use a nipple waterer any one with any kind of experience in the would be a great help thanks in advanced..

 

[ruralmom]

I tried the nipple waterer and I did not have the best of luck. I started early and they just did not get that they had to peck at the nipple to get the water to drop. I did have great luck with a rabbit waterer. The kind with a ball at the end of the stainless tube and when they went up to it to investigate the new toy in the pen a drop of water formed and they thought is was great. I tried a nipple waterer in a milk jug, plastic 12 oz bottle and PVC and they just were not that in to it. The chickens natura curiosity will get them pecking at it and they will put 2 and 2 together. I think both need to be offered in the beginning to prevent dehydration. You could always add fresh veggie juice, like carrot or watermelon to the water and that might get them more interested. Good luck!

 

[Country Living Farm]

I did not have a problem at all...I have 7 different pens and all the pens took to it within minutes. I use SS nipples so it does draw them towards it. Once they saw the water they were trained

 

[trilyn]

I've never had a problem getting birds to drink from it. In fact, I have just bought two beautiful pullets and upon arrival, put them into their quarantine pen which had a pitcher with a nipple in it. I showed it to them by pushing on it with my finger and they looked at me like I was nuts! But once I kept pushing on it enough that a stream of water was coming out (chickens love running water!), they took to it immediately. The nipple waterer needs to be the only water source from the moment you put it in the pen, do not leave any other source of water in there- otherwise they'll never drink from the nipple. Good luck, I love the nipples because they're so much cleaner!!

I also have the stainless steel nipples, I got mine from farmtek. If you check out my byc page, you can see them!

 

[pacetruckguy]

I installed a nipple watering system last week. I used the stainless steel nipples with the red cups that hang below. The chickens were pecking at the nipples before I could get the water flowing through the system. When you have the cups hanging below the nipples, all you need to do is hit the nipples a few times and fill the cups, and they figure it out right away. I took that old nasty water bowl out, and I don't plan on useing anything else from now on. I have watched all eight of my hens to make sure they all caught on, and they all passed with flying colors. I would like to think that my chickens are extra smart, but I'm sure that's not the case. Best change I ever made. Here's a couple of pictures.