Official BYC Poll: Which waterer is better: Nipples or cups?

[cwelte]

I'm an avid DIYer and am building my first coop for our 6 hens (god, I hope they all turn out to be hens!). Coop size is 48"x48"x48", 36" off the ground.

I know that I don't want a "traditional" waterer because in taking care of others birds, I've seen how messy these can be. I also know that having a dry coop is more than preferred.

I'm considering building a system with 4" PVC that would be a simple "L" shape. I'd like to use a bird bath heater in the winter months to keep it from freezing. (I have a tendency to over-engineer these contraptions, but that's 1/2 the fun, right?? )

So my question is this? Which is better at keeping the birds hydrated and keeping your coop driest?

Cups or Nipples (if nipples, horizontal or vertical?)

(At this stage, I'm also not worried about training them. I've heard that a laser pointer is ideal for that - keeping it out of their eye, of course!)

Thanks for the advice!

PS: If you're good with your hands, why not show off your skills by entering our 2020 Home-Made Feeder, Waterer, Incubator, & Brooder Contest - And Win A Brand New Brinsea Brooder!

(Check out more Official BYC Polls HERE!)

 

[Ohmyheart]

Well the nipple would mimic water dripping off plants and leaves. So it's not like it's unnatural.

 

[Ohmyheart]

I use the cups. I did something like this.

 

[SueT]

I use vertical nipples for all my chickens and have for the past year. We made nipple buckets, nipple bottles for chicks, and they all get plenty of water, there are no leaks, water is 100% clean and never needs changing.

 

[aart]

HN's all the way, baby!!
Exceptions: just hatched chicks and for dosing electrolytes during heat waves.

When I switched from open water to HN's, I monitored/measured the water usage for a couple weeks before and for weeks after the switch. They drank the same amount from each, maybe more with the HN's because there's no evaporation with HN's like there probably is with open waterers.

That said, I would not recommend switching to from an open waterer to HN's in extreme weather(hot or cold)...it does take some times for them to 'learn' how to use the nipples, some catch on fast while others can take a week or more to really 'get it'.
I always offer an open waterer late in the day to make sure they get enough water to digest properly before going to roost during the 'training' period.

ETA: HN's are the best for freezing climes:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-heated-waterer-with-horizontal-nipples.67256/

They can also be put into almost any vessel(bottle) is care is used to install:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/gallery/albums/aarts-small-water-bottles-and-holder.7427546/

 

[bruceha2000]

The birds are panting because they are hot not because they are thirsty. They need some way to cool off since they can't remove their down coats. Some use fans, sometimes blowing over an ice block. Some us sprinklers or misters, some put ice in the drinking water. Shouldn't need to be mentioned that they need shade.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

i personally perfer the classic waterers, but cups would be my second choice. nipples can end up dehiderating your birds.

 

[GardenTillers44]

The classic 1-2 gallon reservoir waterers work for us. I know the chickens are getting all they need that way, and they don't knock them over. We have a heated version that we use in the winter. I have had trouble with nipples in the past leaking and freezing, and I'm not convinced all the chickens get what they need from them. Not a big fan of unsecured cups either since the chickens have a habit of knocking them over and making a mess. If you do cups, secure them if possible.

 

[Kiki]

48"x48"x48"
is not going to be big enough for 6 grown birds, imo.

 

[Mckennas poultry]

Chickens don’t drink out of nipples in the wild, do they ?
The natural way is always the best way, so I say CUPS