Poultry nipples

[BJ37]

In reading about them, it sounds like the nipples would be the best way to go. How young can the chicks be started on them? Do you have to train them somehow, if so, how? Does anyone have any negative experiences or comments on using them? How many chickens (maximum) do you recommend for each nipple? How high off the floor is the best, starting with very young and continuing through mature birds? Etc. Etc.

 

[Chick Charm]

Nipples are GREAT! Cleanest way to water in my opinion. A 5 gal bucket with 4 or 5 nipples hung up with a lid lasts a long time and stays perfectly clean. I use 1 nipple to every 4 chickens. You can hang at different heights. YOU will need to figure out the height with your personal flock. Put the nipples on a 4'' PVC pipe hung at an angle and you take care of different size chickens needs. Baby chicks can & do use them. Usually no training needed. But show one and the others will follow.

Wish you the best.

 

[shellyjimrye]

I have ordered a bunch of chicken nipple waterers from Amazon. Can not wait to get them and transition my lovely little flock to the new system!

 

[RubyRamona]

We personally didnt like them, they leaked everywhere and made a soggy mess in the coop

 

[pluckerman74]

>>We personally didnt like them, they leaked everywhere and made a soggy mess in the coop

What brand did you get, I was considering the nipple system myself

 

[milola]

I use them. They leak a little because the bird allows it to flow past it's beak. I just go in once a day and stir up the litter allowing it to dry out. One nipple was really leaking but only because my DH is a gorilla when it comes to tightening things and it stripped the threads. We replaced that nipple and everything is good. I love not have shavings and other "stuff" in the water.

 

[NJchixs]

I've been using water nipples for over a year now. Love them. My chicks, hens and geese are on them. I use the push in style from QC Supply and you need the right size drill bit or they will leak. Also, if you use a jug or bottle you need to drill a hole in cap to equalize the pressure or it will leak. I use gallon milk jugs, with two nipples, for the big chickens and half gal for the younger and quart size in my brooder. In the winter I bring the jug in at night and back out in the morning. I always have a spare on hand for cold days. I hang them with S hooks or chains. I start the chicks on them right from hatch. I tap the nipple with their beak to get the water. After a few get it they all do. I have never had any leaking other than what drips out of their mouth.

 

[Chick Charm]

Installing properly is essential to avoiding leaks. I like the screw in type but have nothing against the push in ones. The little rubber ring should prevent leaking. If you have a stripped out hole use some thread seal tape and that should do it. I personally do not water in my coop but do in the run and also at several spots in the yard as I free range.

 

[debid]

You'll also find that they spill less if you hang the nipple just above their head while standing. They should have to tilt their beaks up to drink. Most folks hang them too low and wonder why there is a soggy spot (they drop some water when stooping under to reach it). Or, they use the wrong drill bit size and the seal isn't good. Properly installed, they don't leak.

 

[acreed]

I put a nipple in a 32 oz Gatorade bottle lid, screwed in on the bottle, cut out the bottom and screwed it into the side of the brooder for my day old chicks. They started using it right away, I just "pecked" on it with my finger and they came right over. They are inquisitive little buggers!