nipples v cups

[ttrammell]

what are your thoughts? I have not tried the cups, but have not had the best luck with nipples (for watering). I put three nipples in the bottom of a five gallon bucket and the worked for a few weeks but they got plugged up, I took them apart cleaned and put them back out, plugged up again after a week or so. Is this normal, maybe I need to keep my water source cleaner? I think it was just dirt maybe algae to. I'm getting ready to run 100 Cornish cross, in tractors, 15 birds per tractor, and using 6 or 8" PVC as water storage with 1-1/2 PVC as the runner for the nipples/cups. All thoughts and ideas welcome

 

[0wen]

I'd try horizontal nipples. If you're getting a lot of algae in your waterer, maybe add some ACV.

 

[Tika75]

I'd try horizontal nipples. If you're getting a lot of algae in your waterer, maybe add some ACV.

What is ACV?

 

[0wen]

Apple Cider Vinegar

 

[Tika75]

Apple Cider Vinegar

I should have figured that out. LOL

 

[BCJC1982]

The cups are awesome!!!! I just bought a pack of two and it works great for my big chickens. They can't put their heads in it with out making more water come out. I have been using it for about 2 weeks now and have had no problems what so ever. The only thing I have noticed is it doesn't work very well for my 8 week old chicks they have much smaller heads so they have to actually push down on the lever on purpose and then wait for a enough water to come out. They aren't very patient with this so I keep a regular water can in their separate area that the big chickens can't get to. They say up to 12 chickens per cup which I was pretty wary of but my five adult chickens do absolutely fantastic no fighting over whose turn it is to drink or anything they come get a little and move on and I have only one of the cups mounted right now. I mounted it on the side so I just have the 5 gallon bucket sitting on a cement block. No water waste no worries can give them 5 gallons of water at a time. I prefer them over the nipples by far.

 

[Tika75]

Do we just add the ACV to the water and it's okay for them to drink?

 

[0wen]

Around a tablespoon per gallon. Most think it's beneficial to the overall health of the chickens. At the very least, it's okay to drink & helps the water stay clear.

 

[wamtazlady]

I've used both horizontal and vertical nipples with no problem. I prefer the horizontal nipples because they are easier to keep thawed in the winter. The one advantage that the nipples have over the cups is that the cups would freeze easily in the winter. So if you are in a cold area and using cups you will have to change to a different watering system for the winter. Easier, IMO to just go with a system that will work year round.