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

[pawtraitart]

A note on how the horizontal nipples work: The bird doesn't push the button IN. What happens is the bird nudges the pin to the side a bit. That is all the effort it takes. No neck stress involved. The water goes into the little indentation which just so happens to be the perfect shape for a beak to fit in and get a drink. Hope that helps.

 

[pawtraitart]

Here are baby quail and some chicks using a horizontal nipple. Babies can do it, so adult birds are no problem. It's just about forming a new habit.

 

[pdirt]

You could always wrap a heat tape around your pipe or around the base of your bucket, they use very little electricity and if your temps don't stay consistently below zero you'll be fine.

Thanks, I've heard this before and I might try that if I need to. I've already bought 2 types of heaters and don't want to buy another one if I don't have to. I am going to try using the 250W stock tank deicer (keeps it at 34-40F) and wrap the bucket and lid with mylar bubble wrap, which should keep the electric usage way down, and from what it sounds like, I won't have any frozen nipples.

A note on how the horizontal nipples work: The bird doesn't push the button IN. What happens is the bird nudges the pin to the side a bit. That is all the effort it takes. No neck stress involved. The water goes into the little indentation which just so happens to be the perfect shape for a beak to fit in and get a drink. Hope that helps.

Wonderful, thanks so much for this description. They just sound great and I look forward to their arrival.

 

[MuddyHillFarm]

We made this waterer from the parts listed and it is working well for our flock for some time now. http://www.aquabarrel.com/product_poultry_bucket_waterer_parts.php

 

[rroll]

Is there a way to teach older chickens to start using a nipple system? I have 11 one year old chickens and want to switch to the nipple system.

 

[LoneOak]

Is there a way to teach older chickens to start using a nipple system? I have 11 one year old chickens and want to switch to the nipple system.

You just need to follow the number 1 rule for teaching any chicken to use a nipple system. Completely remove all other sources of water, tap the nipples and let the birds see water dripping, they will soon figure it out. If after a day of going thirsty when you show them the water they will immediately go to it. Don't worry if you notice your water consumption going way down as their is so much less waste you will think they aren't drinking.

Follow rule #1---Completely remove all other sources of water!

 

[pdirt]

Update on the horizontal nipples...

I finally ordered some from BYC'r Rich386. He quickly answered all my questions. I just installed them and so far here is what I notice between the vertical and horizontal nipple styles. Mind you this is with the nipples (vertical or horizontal) installed directly into the bucket (no extension tubes, etc.)


Vertical style PROS (photo of this style here):
keeps water clean
fill up a large bucket only occasionally rather than daily for our 12 birds
with an aquarium heater can be used to at least -9F

Vertical style CONS:
The nipples don't leak when not in use but leak quite a bit in use=wet/moldy bedding below the waterer
requires an aquarium heater to keep nipples from freezing rather than a more energy efficient birdbath or stock tank de-icer
can't set bucket on ground lest risk damaging nipples
requires a very specific size drill bit & teflon tape to insure proper fit and no leaks


Horizontal style PROS (photo of this style here):
same pros as the vertical with the bonus that I expect to be able to use my more energy efficient stock tank de-icer instead of the aquarium heater
installation uses standard bit sizes 3/8" or smaller and no teflon tape required (nipples self-seal with hand tightening)
best part is virtually NO LEAKS when in use as birds slurp up all the water instead of trying to drink from a "dripping faucet" as with the vertical nipples
can set the bucket directly on the ground even when full of water, can mount the waterer on blocks or can be hung

Horizontal style CONS:
Birds are slower to adopt to the new nipples since they are used to the vertical ones (both styles are red in color) but I expect this to be only temporary (similar results when I first introduced them to the vertical nipples)
cost is about 2x the cost of vertical ones.


So I see many additional benefits to the horizontal ones and the only real downside is the cost. For our small flock this isn't a big deal, but I can see how it would be if we had hundreds of chickens. Both styles seem very well constructed and should last years of use.

The only other comment is a bit of wash in terms of pros and cons. The vertical ones I think allow the birds to drink more water with less effort but also require them to crane their necks in awkward positions to do so. The horizontal ones allow them to drink in a more natural position but require frequent flicking of the metal lever to release the water. My hunch though on this last one is if they figure out how to hold the lever open while drinking a constant tiny stream of water, not yet sure if that is possible physically or if the birds are smart enough to work in tandem (one holds the lever to release water and the other drinks!) This is just speculation so far and I have little observation to say for sure, I'll update again later.

 

[flowerfaeiry]

I just tried the horizontal nipples in my brooder with two week old chicks. They had been using the vertical nipples since hatch with no problems. When I put the new horizontal drinker in the brooder they curiously went right to it. After watching them all day, I noticed that they are working twice as hard to get a small drink. When I put their original vertical nipple waterer back in, they went crazy atacking it! you would think they were in the desert all dehydrated! In my opinon, they don't get enough water from it. I will try it on my big girls and see if I get the same results.

 

[chad-o]

I just tried the horizontal nipples in my brooder with two week old chicks. They had been using the vertical nipples since hatch with no problems. When I put the new horizontal drinker in the brooder they curiously went right to it. After watching them all day, I noticed that they are working twice as hard to get a small drink. When I put their original vertical nipple waterer back in, they went crazy atacking it! you would think they were in the desert all dehydrated! In my opinon, they don't get enough water from it. I will try it on my big girls and see if I get the same results.

Just seems like they are getting less because there is less waste. As far as attacking the water you get that very same response when they find a puddle after a rain. You can go out with a piece of bread and get that same response. That is just a chicken thing.

 

[LoneOak]

I agree with this 100%

Quote:

I raised my last brooder of 25 Golden Comets completely on horizontal Nipples from day 2 and today I have 24 beautiful little girls that are just beginning to lay. I lost one from unknown reasons but she was weak looking when I first got her home. I have recently moved these birds to a larger pen and it has both cups and H-nipples and the birds use both but they seem to prefer the nipples and often gather together for a group drink, especially after a treat of feed bread or vegetables scraps.

When the weather turned cold recently I drained my system and put in a traditional 3 gal waterer. They used it but just as soon as I refilled the nipple system and put it back together they completely forgot about the traditional waterer and went right back to their gathering for a group drink!