Training to drink from a Premier 1 Waterer

[dae006]

I'm trying to train my chickens to drink from this nipple waterer since it will be heated for winter. The other day I let their regular waterer go dry, sat with them and took their beaks and pressed them into the nipples to get water out. It seemed to work pretty good and most if not all were eventually pecking away try to get water, but it didn't seem like they were getting a lot. I knew they were fairly thirsty so I did fill up their normal waterer and they swarmed around and drank right away. I did this again this morning. They came out of the coop into the run where there was a little water left in the normal waterer but was going to go dry fairly quickly. I checked later on in the day and the water was empty, I again showed them to the nipple waterer but not much reaction, it didn't look like any water was gone so I filled up the normal waterer again and they swarmed it again and definitely wanted water. Am I doing something wrong? I feel bad making them go without water.

 

[CherishedFowlGuardian]

Maybe try something like this

Day 1: Hang the nipple waterer slightly above eye level and tap the nipples to show water flow while letting the chickens observe and peck. Keep their old waterer available.

Day 2: In the morning, let only the nipple waterer be available for one hour while you watch to ensure some birds drink. Return their regular water afterward.

Day 3: Repeat the one-hour nipple-only period twice a day, tapping the nipples occasionally to keep interest and help them practice.

Day 4: Move or raise the old waterer so it’s less convenient, encouraging them to use the nipples first. Check the reservoir to confirm water use.

Day 5: Extend nipple-only time to about three hours in the morning and monitor that most birds are drinking. Offer the old waterer later in the day.

Day 6: Remove the old waterer for half the day and watch behavior to ensure they’re comfortable and hydrated. If they’re drinking well, you’re ready for the final step.

Day 7: Remove the old waterer completely and rely fully on the nipple system, checking water flow and bird behavior throughout the day.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Since they were using it after you showed them how, you can safely remove the old waterer so the new one is the only source. They have no reason to use it if the old one is still accessible.