Remove all other sources of water first of all. I just tap the nipples and the chickens see water dripping down and they usually get the idea soon enough. That's my experience, at least. Good luck Ct
I did they exact same thing as you CTKen by tapping the nipples and it worked I weak later but I also have to keep something else also cuz I have a old English game bantam and he can't reach it but my hens got the whole idea of what it's for and I also heard if that doesn't work you can get a laser pointer and shine it on the silver part and that should work because if the chickens see it they will be curious and peck it and eventually get the idea also
