nipple waterers - are my chickens drinking enough?

[hannahchicken]

I purchased nipple waterers as soon as I got baby chicks and started them on that. They seemed to drink from it just fine in the brooder but I realized the level of water really never went down (I mean I used a water bottle with a nipple in the bottom and never had to refill it in 2 weeks!)
I got concerned and bout a conventional waterer for them and now can see them drinking more and I have to refill it at least once every day.
Now that they are nearing the time to go in the coop I want to use a nipple system to keep it clean but am worried they won't drink enough. Anyone else had this problem?

 

[TLHatton]

I too started my chicks on a nipple system and I'm noticing the same thing. Going to to put in a waterer that I use for our dog when we go out of town. Still going to leave the nipple system in the coop though.

 

[Nolly]

I had mine using vertical nipples in a matter of minutes. I just tapped it a few times, and when they saw the water dripping out, they got curious and took to it quickly. I tapped each of their beaks against it to make sure to got the point.
As they got bigger, I bought horizontal nipples. I've had no problems with these leaking compared to the vertical ones that leaked a little bit.
Again, I tapped them to show the chickens how they worked. Then pushed their beaks against the nipples to help them get the point.
Hope this helps.