Not getting enough water from nipple waterer?

[PortlandME]

Hi All!

I use a 2 gallon Farm Innovators nipple waterer for my 6 girls which they seem to use without issue. My concern is when I go to fill it up using a watering can, the girls always run over and take gulps of water out of the can (see photo!). This makes it seem like they are very thirsty and aren't getting enough water from their nipple waterer. I'd say they are going through a gallon of water every 3-4 days right now. Am I overreacting? Could they just be doing this out of excitement?

Thanks for your insights!

 

[SueT]

I think they'll be okay, if they are drinking a gallon a day--- but is your waterer in danger of freezing? Where do you live and how cold is it? Does waterer have horizontal or vertical nipples?
Chickens do like drinking out of big containers....but I do raise my youngsters on nipple waterers as their only water. It's too cold here to use those in the winter so I've switched over to heated dog bowls.

 

[PortlandME]

Thanks for the quick reply! They aren't drinking a gallon a day... more like a gallon every 3-4 days.

I'm in a cold climate (Maine), and the nipple waterer that I use is heated. The nipples are horizontal. This is the one I'm using: https://www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovators-HB-60P-Poultry-Drinker/dp/B005BV1WLE?th=1

 

[peeper89]

chicken dont not grow up drinking from tit! give them bowl to drink water! they

 

[Luckylarson]

Did you try making sure it isn't clogged up?

 

[PortlandME]

chicken dont not grow up drinking from tit! give them bowl to drink water! they

Woah - what an aggressive response! I thought nipple waterers were recommended for keeping the water clean. This was also the best reviewed heated drinker I could find. They don't need to "suck" on the nipple... just peck.

 

[PortlandME]

Did you try making sure it isn't clogged up?

Yes - I've been checking it often now that we're below freezing to make sure everything is working as it should. Water comes out as soon as I touch the nipple, and I see the girls drinking throughout the day. Thanks for the reply!

 

[black_cat]

chicken dont not grow up drinking from tit! give them bowl to drink water! they

I was under the impression that the nipple waters simulate getting drops of water off leaves. They also keep water clean, and horizontal nipples won't freeze, making nipple waters an ideal option for many people.

 

[black_cat]

Woah - what an aggressive response! I thought nipple waterers were recommended for keeping the water clean. This was also the best reviewed heated drinker I could find. They don't need to "suck" on the nipple... just peck.

They are recommended for getting water clean. If I had had my girls from chicks, I would have used one. My poultry waterer fount one gets so dirty and gross!

 

[peeper89]

Woah - what an aggressive response! I thought nipple waterers were recommended for keeping the water clean. This was also the best reviewed heated drinker I could find. They don't need to "suck" on the nipple... just peck.

I was under the impression that the nipple waters simulate getting drops of water off leaves. They also keep water clean, and horizontal nipples won't freeze, making nipple waters an ideal option for many people.

wash bowl and water stay clean!