nipple waterers . . . questions

[lisamayc]

Another question

How many nipples per 5 gallon bucket and how many nipples do you nwws to water a flock of 10?

Thanks

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

I put three per bucket as was suggested by TEK supply and it seems to be perfect for a pen of 6.

 

[trilyn]

Katy you go!! Woohooo!!

Don't you just love 'em!!

 

[Neil Grassbaugh]

Nipple drinker manufacturers recomend and the poultry industry utilize nipple drinkers at these rates:
One to ten days of age - 30 birds per drinker.
Growing and mature birds - no less than ten birds per drinker.

This ratio applys even in the most demanding situations - breeder birds, arid climates, birds who are on water restriction programs.

To few birds per nipple are likely to cause more of those nipples to drip and cause wet litter and th problems associated with that.

I am also noticing in many pictures I am seeing here that the nipple drinkers are not being used in a vertical position. That is totally contrary to their design.

I would also recomend that the water storage containers used not allow light through as that adds a necessary component for algae growth.

BTW - I have discovered the manufactuer of the FarmTek nipples and have a bunch of them coming in next week. If you can wait till then the shipping costs will be much less.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

hmm . . . well I have 6 birds in each run and three nipples, no dripping so far (I was watching for that really close), I can't really see how more birds ie; more use, would cut down on dripping anyway.

 

[Neil Grassbaugh]

Quote:
Sooner or later there is going to be some particle get between the drinker pin and the seat of the nipple.This causes leaking. The more the nipple is activated by the birds the more likely that the particle will be dislodged ending the leaking. When using open water containers contamination with particles is nearly unavoidable, especially around chickens.

You can have several nipples per birds if you like but so many are really not necessary.

 

[yomama]

I use them and love them!!!
This might be stating the obvious, but do make sure that if you have a lid (personally, I use lids, keeps the water soooo much cleaner) make sure you drill enough or big enough hole(s) to ensure the water does come out easily. Otherwise, you will create a vacuum, and the chickens won't be able to get water, or it will be too hard, and they won't make the effort. Definately would observe them closely to make sure they aren't having to try too hard to get water. I got mine online at Farmtek, I think. Pretty sure I paid more for shipping than the nipples themself!

 

[trilyn]

Quote:
Ha, gotta love Farmtek/Teksupply and that ridiculous shipping! When I first got nipples, that's where I bought them, and stroked over the shipping costs, but the waterers were well worth it-so it evened out for me. I actually just bought more recently at:

http://www.qcsupply.com/qcsupply/br...sp?productId=420006&categoryId=&fromPage=cart

12 nipples plus tax and shipping-20.00, not bad! I'm sure you can get them even cheaper somewhere else.

I use a Home Depot bucket and lid, the lid has gasket on the inside lip and it works well for a vacuum. But I don't close it all the way just for that reason. I have it hanging on a stud in the coop and the bucket is flat on the wall, so the lid is only on 3/4 of the way and it is enough to keep the water flowing and clean. It has 3 nipples on the bottom and this winter I used a deicer I got from TSC and a thermocube and had no frozen water-not having to dump and break up icy buckets-PRICELESS!!!! Also, even all winter in a coop, it never got nasty on the inside. I think I dumped and rinsed it out once all winter, just because I felt I should. I should probably do it more often, but hey-it's clean and it works so... I will be making another one because the warmer weather is finally here and hopefully it will stay

and I would like to make sure they have plenty of ice cold water.

 

[geebs]

can someone post a pic of what they look like in use???? I am intrigued.

 

[trilyn]

Quote:
Check out my byc page!