spring loaded/side mounted drink dispenser

[cluckyMum1964]

Hi there. Have had my 3 girls for just over a month. Got sick of having to clean out their water container so bought some spring loaded / side mounted drink dispensers (red ones) . My girls are about 1 year old, and they are just not getting the idea.... they are looking all around the water container, but haven't managed to get any water out yet. The instructions said to remove all other water sources... which we did for the first day... but they still hadn't worked it out and then started escaping in their efforts to find water. So we have resorted to giving them other water in morning and in evening.... but the days are getting hotter and they still haven't figured it out (has been 2 weeks now) and I don't want to stress them further. Any suggestions please.

 

[swamphiker]

Just to make sure we are on the same page, are the drinkers you are using similar to these?: https://www.chewy.com/ware-sideways-sipper-horizontal/dp/267996

 

[3KillerBs]

Is this a horizontal nipple waterer?

Did you purchase it ready-made or make your own?

If the latter, did you remember to drill a small hole just under the rim to break the vacuum so that the water can flow?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Assuming you're using horizontal nipples, have you tried showing them where the water is, by either picking them up and using their beaks to toggle the nipple, and/or "pecking" the nipple with your finger and letting them drink the droplets so the link the two together?

 

[RoosterML]

Put the new waterer next to the old one for a few days. Activate the new nipples so that water comes out and rest on the tip. Do this every time you get a chance.
After a few days start removing the old waterer for several hours at a time. Once you notice them using the new waterer you will be good to go. Also I would make sure that the nipples are at mid neck height of the chickens. Don’t leave the nipples on the ground. You will have to raise the new waterer accordingly.
Hope this helps.

 

[cluckyMum1964]

Just to make sure we are on the same page, are the drinkers you are using similar to these?: https://www.chewy.com/ware-sideways-sipper-horizontal/dp/267996

Yes they are the same as those.

 

[swamphiker]

Yes they are the same as those.

Ok great! I use those for my waterer and they work great and I haven't had any leaks yet after nearly 2 years of use. Others have made good suggestions to show them how to use it to make sure they associate the "pecking" of the button with water. They will get it eventually.

 

[cluckyMum1964]

Put the new waterer next to the old one for a few days. Activate the new nipples so that water comes out and rest on the tip. Do this every time you get a chance.
After a few days start removing the old waterer for several hours at a time. Once you notice them using the new waterer you will be good to go. Also I would make sure that the nipples are at mid neck height of the chickens. Don’t leave the nipples on the ground. You will have to raise the new waterer accordingly.
Hope this helps.

Thank you. very helpful

 

[cluckyMum1964]

Assuming you're using horizontal nipples, have you tried showing them where the water is, by either picking them up and using their beaks to toggle the nipple, and/or "pecking" the nipple with your finger and letting them drink the droplets so the link the two together?

yes have been doing that. will persist

 

[RoosterML]

I wish you would post a picture of the waterer.
Make sure air can get into the container so that water can come out. Do NOT seal the lid or cover or whatever it has tightly