Training chicks to use watering nipples

[Arkantex]

I just got my chicks in wendesday. I have been so buisy with work that I didn't have time to order the watering nipples until yesterday. So far we have just been puting a bowl with water in it in the brooder for them to drink out of. So, when the watering nipples come in, how do I go about training the chicks to drink out of it? When I am teaching them to use them do I need to leave the water bowl in there? Hopefully by monday I will be back to working regular 8 hour days and can finnish up my coop and run pretty quick.

So far, we are loving our baby chicks. My 1 year old son absolutely loves them! Seeing him giggle and smile at them makes all the work and research I have done thus far totally worth it!

 

[fiddlebanshee]

I did the same as you are doing. I had no problem introducing it to my 2 week old chicks. I demonstrated with my finger and pushing one of their beaks against it. They had it figured out in 10 seconds.

 

[motochick]

I switched my to the nipple at about 2 weeks and yup, it took them all of 15 seconds. It happened so quick, I had just steped away to switch the laundry and they already were at it. I imagine it went like this...

"Something new here? Let's peck it! Oh, water!?!"
"Hey, what are you pecking? Can I peck it too? Oh, water!?!"
Repeat second query for each subsequent chick.

 

[motochick]

oh, and I think they would learn to use it at even one or two days old.
I put a plastic drip tray below to catch the drips and keep the wood pellet bedding from turning to wet sawdust so quickly just below the nipples.

 

[motochick]

side note - the drips are from the chicks pecking it, not it leaking.

 

[Arkantex]

Well then it should work out good. About the time they show up and I get the setup built they will be about 2 weeks old or so. Thanks for the input guys