Thinking of switching to verticle nipples. How do I train?

[DeneeNae]

I hear how wonderful vertical nipples are and I'm considering switching. Right now I have a regular ol' automatic waterer that I made myself with a bucket and metal pan. I'm tired of cleaning it out. I live in a sandy area and as soon I turn around after I clean it, it's dirty again! I need advice on training my birds how to take vertical nipples. I have 5 laying hens (ranging in age from 1 to 4 years old) and I recently got 8 chicks this past weekend.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Once you have the new waterer in place take away any other waterers, then when your chickens come over to look at it, lightly tap the nipple and let a drop or two of water out. The chickens should start pecking at it out of curiosity. I would keep an eye on them to make sure they all try it out - if there seems to be a bird that just doesn't get it, give them access to the old waterer and phase it out over time.

Oh, I just noticed you said you have chicks... how old are they? If they're super little they might have a harder time using a nipple waterer due to height and having to operate the nipple.

 

[pennyJo1960]

do not use vertical they can leak pickup horizontal you will be happier I took each bird by the head pushed the button in with my finger putting their beak to my finger as I did it
I use them on all my birds even Silky find it easy little white 2 gallon bugget with them for peeps have used it for 3 years now

 

[DeneeNae]

@penny1960 are the horizontal ones the one with the little bowl attached?

 

[DeneeNae]

@rosemarythyme my chicks look to be about a week. I bought them from a local feed store and didn't ask age. And yeah, they are super little, but I have them in a brroder inside my house.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Oh ok, then chicks aren't a concern yet. Once the littles get integrated they should be able to follow the bigs in learning how to get water.

 

[pennyJo1960]

@penny1960 are the horizontal ones the one with the little bowl attached?

mine are not let me give you the link on amazon where I bought them great price
I tried and hated the cup ones

https://www.amazon.com/Cruzadel-Hor...7741&sr=8-4&keywords=horizontal+water+nipples

 

[blackdog043]

These are the horizontal, don't waste your money on the vertical. Use an 11/32 drill bit to make the hole to screw them into.
https://www.amazon.com/Horizontal-S...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=9B3HZM8ER1S6XHR0Q2Z3

 

[rosemarythyme]

I've done fine on vertical but yes a lot of people report leaking issues. I haven't had that yet.

 

[blackdog043]

Here's a couple of my waterers, first one I use in my brooder after the chicks are 3 weeks old. I use five gallon waterers in my coop and run. I just put the brooder waterer in over the weekend and within 2 minutes they were investigating and using it. Mine always are quick to use it.