Quail watering system

[GemW]

What do use for a quail waterer? I had a 1 gallon jug with cups and they worked fine but they spill so much I was needing to fill it twice a day. So, I switched to the nipple waterers. They looked like they were working but I went to check and I guess the pressure from the lid made them not functional. I fixed it but they still don't seem to be getting enough. 2 of My hens haven't laid since i changed it and one is pacing and seems very stressed. Then, my male crowed and he seemed a little horse, also seemed like he was sleeping a lot since I changed it. They all appeared to be using it but it's hard to tell how much they are getting and the water level is not changing much. So, I switched back to the cups and they were all huddled around it for 15 min guzzling so I am pretty sure the nipple waterers are not working well for them. Roo drank up, got active and crowed like he's supposed to. I'm going out of town for the weekend and would like something that will work for them and not have to be filled constantly. What do you use?

 

[CliftonQuail]

I use these:
https://quailcage.com/home/139-home-6-auto-float-drinker-cups-drinker-cups.html
which are apparently out of stock until August.
These appear to be similar:
https://quailcage.com/home/179-home-automatic-drinker-cup-kit-6.html
I'm not sure you could get them in time, though.
These also seem to be similar and show to be available for one day shipping on Prime:
https://www.amazon.com/MODUODUO-Aut...581&sprefix=quail+automatic+wa,aps,138&sr=8-5

I have wire cages with 1" x 2" wire on the sides. I clip the cups on the outside of the cage. The birds can fit their heads through the wire and don't have any trouble drinking. The cups are connected to a 5 gallon bucket that sits above the cages.
Hope this helps.

 

[CliftonQuail]

I've seen others that use these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PP6PJ2N?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

They could probably be mounted on the outside of the cage, too, with the cup portion protruding into the cage, but I haven't figured out a way to auto fill them.

 

[Nabiki]

I've seen others that use these:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PP6PJ2N?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

They could probably be mounted on the outside of the cage, too, with the cup portion protruding into the cage, but I haven't figured out a way to auto fill them.

Those are good for chicks, but they don't hold nearly enough water for adults. Those hold enough for about one bird.

 

[CliftonQuail]

Those are good for chicks, but they don't hold nearly enough water for adults. Those hold enough for about one bird.

I'd forgotten that you mentioned them for chicks.

 

[Nabiki]

I'd forgotten that you mentioned them for chicks.

They're perfect for chicks. They can't drown in them.

 

[GemW]

I have these.
【12Pack 】 Chicken Water Cups 3/8 Inch Automatic Chicken Water Feeder Chicken Water Bowls Chicken Waterer Chicken Water Feeder Poultry Waterer Feeder Kit for Ducks,Birds,Geese,Quail https://a.co/d/aflFbhz

I think we put them too low on my gallon jug because the bottom of the cage seems to bump it and then it spills all over. But these would work with the pvc shouldn't they?

We considered that initially but I'm not sure how well I would be able to get the jug on top of the coop...I suppose you just leave it in place when you fill?
And we weren't sure how to make it work in the winter either?

 

[CliftonQuail]

I have these.
【12Pack 】 Chicken Water Cups 3/8 Inch Automatic Chicken Water Feeder Chicken Water Bowls Chicken Waterer Chicken Water Feeder Poultry Waterer Feeder Kit for Ducks,Birds,Geese,Quail https://a.co/d/aflFbhz

I think we put them too low on my gallon jug because the bottom of the cage seems to bump it and then it spills all over. But these would work with the pvc shouldn't they?

We considered that initially but I'm not sure how well I would be able to get the jug on top of the coop...I suppose you just leave it in place when you fill?
And we weren't sure how to make it work in the winter either?

You should be able to connect those to PVC instead of directly to the bucket and use a bulkhead fitting of some kind for the bucket. The tops of my cages are wire, but I have a couple of 2 x 4's supporting the bucket so it doesn't put too much weight on the top of the cage. Mine are in the garage, so winterizing isn't a big concern. You might be able to use an aquarium heater in your jug to keep the water warm when needed.

Edit to add: This is similar to what you have, but comes with the PVC Tees that you'd need.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWS1RT6...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

[Cool-breeze7]

I’m a huge fan of the water nipples myself. Keeps their water so much cleaner imo.

When I transitioned them to using those nipples it was a gradual process though. My first group I took the better part of a week. It could have been done faster but it was summer.

The birds not only have to hit the nipple but they have to learn how to hit the nipple the right way. I’ve seen birds peck it and get nothing before.

Idk how to help you for your trip but I think you should keep at the nipples when you return.

 

[Charlie Wooster]

I use the Rite Farm Products big red tilting cups, not the small cups with the plungers. Chicks get the small water bases with quart jars until big enough to use tilting cups (weight of the water shuts off supply to cup) I have had zero success with nipples and quail, the small red cups with the yellow plunger (little giant/similar) will all fail, some fail in days and some fail in months. I will find the name of the ones I like and have used exclusively for the past several years..