Searching for the perfect waterer

[ChickNanny13]

Horizontal water nipples is my fix and as stated in Post#4 it could be warmed.

 

[blackdog043]

This article might help somebody. I use horizontal nipples, so no good for ACV.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ock-tank-deicer-and-horizontal-nipples.74609/

 

[SarahBC]

This article might help somebody. I use horizontal nipples, so no good for ACV.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ock-tank-deicer-and-horizontal-nipples.74609/

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I read somewhere that these are not good in hot months as they cannot get enough at one time. Do you have any experience with that? I made one and my chickens know how to use it but they prefer my open waterer

 

[wamtazlady]

I read somewhere that these are not good in hot months as they cannot get enough at one time. Do you have any experience with that? I made one and my chickens know how to use it but they prefer my open waterer

Been using horizontal nipples for 4 years now. Never had a chicken get dehydrated from lack of water. Of course they prefer the open waterer. It is easier to use. However, the horizontal nipple waterers make for nice clean water at all times which is a great advantage. The chickens can't kick dirt into the water. Recently I put a bowl of water in the yard for them to use while they are free ranging. They wouldn't use it for the first few days as they just aren't used to an open waterer.

I use a container (a 10 gallon tote with lid), horizontal nipples, and a stock tank deicer that is rated for use in plastic for the winter. It has kept my water thawed down to -22 F which is -30 C.

 

[SarahBC]

Been using horizontal nipples for 4 years now. Never had a chicken get dehydrated from lack of water. Of course they prefer the open waterer. It is easier to use. However, the horizontal nipple waterers make for nice clean water at all times which is a great advantage. The chickens can't kick dirt into the water. Recently I put a bowl of water in the yard for them to use while they are free ranging. They wouldn't use it for the first few days as they just aren't used to an open waterer.

I use a container (a 10 gallon tote with lid), horizontal nipples, and a stock tank deicer that is rated for use in plastic for the winter. It has kept my water thawed down to -22 F which is -30 C.

Awesome! Thank you for your reply! I will stick with mine then. Just have to find a de-icer!

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

I know I saw a Kool nipple water cooler at FFH. Not sure about winter but was a great idea for summer.

 

[blackdog043]

I read somewhere that these are not good in hot months as they cannot get enough at one time. Do you have any experience with that? I made one and my chickens know how to use it but they prefer my open waterer

We get pretty hot and humid in NC. I've been using horizontal nipples for 3 years and haven't had a problem with dehydration. I have a 14 gallon drum in my run and use a five gallon bucket in the coop. If the nipples didn't work well, the chickens would be standing at the waterer all day, which they don't. I go away for a week and the don't run out of clean water.

 

[wamtazlady]

Awesome! Thank you for your reply! I will stick with mine then. Just have to find a de-icer!

I got my deicer at the feed store. Depending on your store you might have to wait until fall to purchase one. I would think the stores have more summer type items on the shelves at this time of year.

My deicer is 250 watts and is rated for use in plastic. It turns on at 35 degrees F and turns off at 45 degrees F. It doesn't make the water warm but keeps it thawed.

 

[jreardon1918]

This is the one i use in a FIVE gallon bucket with HN.

** edited to add FIVE.

 

[~KH~]

The horizontal or vertical nipples in a five gallon bucket work very well from what I hear, and you just drill a hole in the lid for a stock water heater. Many stock water tanks are made of plastic so the heaters are rated for just enough heat to keep them from freezing and no more so as to use as little electricity as possible. Don't go the aquarium heater route. They are designed to keep the water warm enough for tropical fish which is way more heat than you need.

With my flock in Idaho, I used a bucket with vertical nipples and a bucket heater in the winter. I had a thermocube (link below) that would turn the heater on when it got cold, but didn't have it running all the time. When the temps were below zero, the vertical nipples would sometimes get stuck frozen and I'd have to loosen them, but that was only when it was very cold. I was very happy with the setup - it worked well with minimal hassle.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006U2HD2