Vertical (gravity) vs. horizontal (spring loaded) watering nipples

[fried green eggs]

I did an experiment this winter. I had one 5 gallon bucket with two horizontal nipples for 23 chickens. That's way more than the recommended 6-8 per HN. It worked just fine, though sometimes there was a line for the nipples. After nearly 3 months of this, I added 2 more hn's. They didn't seem to drink any additional water, but the lines to wait disappeared.

My thought is the 6-8 recommendation is very conservative. I've previously read similar recommendations for vertical nipples. I've also read recommendations of up to 15-20 chickens per vertical nipple.

I agree and I kind of think its helpful to have fewer nipples because multiple chickens can and will drink together at each HN - less water reaches the floor so the area under stays dry.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

In summer the chickens will drink about twice as much.

 

[pdirt]

 
You're quite welcome! Just make sure you use a 3/8" drill bit and screw them in "straight-on" to the surface of the bucket...that way they get a great seal. Best of luck!

How do you prevent your hens from jumping onto or perching on the bucket lid?

I strap an adjustable strap around the bucket handle and attach it to a rafter of the covered run. With the handle vertical, they don't perch on the bucket. I am not hanging the bucket by the handle, only lifting the handle. A spring loaded clip makes for quick removal of I want to take the bucket away for refill or cleaning. The bucket rests on a stack of bricks. A thin cord would work just as fine.

 

[mainechicklet]

Good idea. Bought the bucket, nipples on the way. My local feed store doesn't carry nipples...said everyone around here claims they don't work. I'm going to prove them all wrong!

 

[mainechicklet]

This system is awesome! I put 4 HN in a 2 gal bucket and within a MINUTE, half of the 16 had figured it out. Within an hour, everyone had it down. I'm putting together two more buckets, an additional one for this group who has some bullies. And one for my other coop. It's such a joy to look inside the bucket and see perfectly clean water. Now I'm stocking up the freezer with ice cubes for the hot summer days. Thank you all for your suggestions!

 

[pdirt]

Good idea. Bought the bucket, nipples on the way. My local feed store doesn't carry nipples...said everyone around here claims they don't work. I'm going to prove them all wrong!

Maybe in Downeast Maine it doesn't get as cold as up North (I have relatives up there). From what I've gathered, if it gets much colder than -15F, the horizontal nipples with a de-icer in the bucket might freeze. Perhaps some sort of heat source from underneath the bucket, so it rises up to thaw the nipples. But no worries for now...summer is coming! Some folks switch between a nipple bucket in warmer weather and a traditional metal waterer with the heated stand in winter. Even if you do that, you'll have clean water for many months of the year.

 

[iwiw60]

Maybe in Downeast Maine it doesn't get as cold as up North (I have relatives up there). From what I've gathered, if it gets much colder than -15F, the horizontal nipples with a de-icer in the bucket might freeze. Perhaps some sort of heat source from underneath the bucket, so it rises up to thaw the nipples. But no worries for now...summer is coming! Some folks switch between a nipple bucket in warmer weather and a traditional metal waterer with the heated stand in winter. Even if you do that, you'll have clean water for many months of the year.

I use the horizontal water nipple system. This winter we got down to -18 for 3 days in a row. With my mini stock tank heater setup...no freeze-ups whatsoever.

 

[pdirt]

It was -40F a few weeks ago in NW Maine....not sure the horizontal nipples would fly in that sort of cold!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I agree. I don't think any unprotected system will work at that temperature.

 

[mainechicklet]

Jeepers, I thought I was the only one enduring these miserably frigid temps. I'm glad I'm not alone. When you say -15 and below, are you referring to the additional wind chill factor? That's soooo cold.