Nipples vs cups for watering

[sealer39]

I have 16 adult chickens using two 5 gallon waterers and it would take about 10 days to 2 weeks for them to empty the two buckets. I rinse out and refill them once per week. I keep a lid on each bucket so the water stays clean.

 

[RoosterML]

Do you only fill the bucket when it gets low on water? I’d imagine that would last awhile? I guess I’m worried about it not being fresh for them and getting sick? I don’t know if that’s a thing Still trying to figure all this stuff out!

The greatest thing about the setup is if nothing can get into the bucket the water can’t go bad. A small 1/8” hole just below the top rim of the bucket is all is needed to allow air in. Just don’t make your hole ontop in the lid and nothing gets in. I was like you worried at first. Remember this the next time it rains look over and you’ll see a chicken drinking from the puddle with a nice big chicken turd in the water. Doesn’t get much worse than that.
I forgot to add that I usually have open waterers available to them along with the HN ones more so when the weather gets hot.

 

[vantain]

I use horizontal nipples in 5 gallon buckets. They work very well for the chickens. I introduce the chicks to the system after 1-2 weeks of age. I didn’t try the cups because reviews stated they constantly have to be cleaned and will still freeze in winter even with a heater in the bucket. Here is one of them:
View attachment 2062905

How do you introduce the chicks to the nipple waterer after the 1-2 weeks of using a standard open waterer? I use a horizontal nipple waterer for my older girls, so I definitely want to do the same for these new chicks I’m getting this week.

 

[RoosterML]

How do you introduce the chicks to the nipple waterer after the 1-2 weeks of using a standard open waterer? I use a horizontal nipple waterer for my older girls, so I definitely want to do the same for these new chicks I’m getting this week.

Add the nipple water right along side the existing open waterer. I start at one week old. Just leave it in there. Often tap the lever so that a drip of water rest on the ledge of the nipple. You should see them pecking away and starting to learn how to use it. At about 3 weeks start removing the open waterer several hours at a time. You will see if they are using it or not. Keep extending the time until you are confident they are using it. Towards the end I only put the open waterer back in about 30 minutes before bedtime so no one goes to bed thirsty. It’s a watch and see game. Also the warmer it is the more you need to watch.

 

[sealer39]

After 2 weeks I introduce them to the bucket. The chicks will freak out at the big scary bucket at first. Once they realize the bucket is not going to eat them I tap on the nipples. Water will come out and the chicks will respond. Just get rid of any other water source when you add the bucket. Chicks will prefer the regular waterer over the nipples if given the choice. If for some reason they don’t take to the nipples, try again the following week.

 

[MommA2K]

Add the nipple water right along side the existing open waterer. I start at one week old. Just leave it in there. Often tap the lever so that a drip of water rest on the ledge of the nipple. You should see them pecking away and starting to learn how to use it. At about 3 weeks start removing the open waterer several hours at a time. You will see if they are using it or not. Keep extending the time until you are confident they are using it. Towards the end I only put the open waterer back in about 30 minutes before bedtime so no one goes to bed thirsty. It’s a watch and see game. Also the warmer it is the more you need to watch.

Aside from the obvious position on the bucket, is there a difference between the horizontal and vertical nipples? I suppose in the colder months it’s easier to keep the horizontal bucket itself from freezing?

 

[RoosterML]

Aside from the obvious position on the bucket, is there a difference between the horizontal and vertical nipples? I suppose in the colder months it’s easier to keep the horizontal bucket itself from freezing?

Vertical nipples seem to leak more and they also freeze. For spring/summer/fall I have a gallon jug with both VN and HN installed on it. Sometimes I’ll use that one for chicks.

 

[MommA2K]

Vertical nipples seem to leak more and they also freeze. For spring/summer/fall I have a gallon jug with both VN and HN installed on it. Sometimes I’ll use that one for chicks.

ONE more question I have a water bottle that we used for our rabbit, is that essentially the same thing? Our chicks are 3 weeks old so I want to get them started ASAP, but shipping is taking a little longer now, so it will be almost two weeks to get the nipples.

 

[RoosterML]

ONE more question I have a water bottle that we used for our rabbit, is that essentially the same thing? Our chicks are 3 weeks old so I want to get them started ASAP, but shipping is taking a little longer now, so it will be almost two weeks to get the nipples.

Sorry 2 questions a day limit.
If it is the same water bottle I have which is this one.

yes it is very similar.
Most poultry items are red due to how chickens are attracted to red but nothing wrong in giving it a try.
Also there is not specific age limit to transition them over to HN. So no big deal if you wait for them to come in or use the rabbit one if you like.
Also I can speak for the ones made by Ware and rent a coop HN as being very good.
I have heard some say that some of the other knock offs the spring are stiff but I can not verify that.
My favorite is the Ware they have alittle bigger “catch pan” under.

 

[MommA2K]

Sorry 2 questions a day limit.
If it is the same water bottle I have which is this one.
View attachment 2097575
yes it is very similar.
Most poultry items are red due to how chickens are attracted to red but nothing wrong in giving it a try.
Also there is not specific age limit to transition them over to HN. So no big deal if you wait for them to come in or use the rabbit one if you like.
Also I can speak for the ones made by Ware and rent a coop HN as being very good.
I have heard some say that some of the other knock offs the spring are stiff but I can not verify that.
My favorite is the Ware they have alittle bigger “catch pan” under.

View attachment 2097617

Thank you!!