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

[aart]

Quote: OhOK thanks we must have cross posted...glad they're HDPE and it looked like the 3.5 were the came rim as 5 gal.
I have some 3.5 gal buckets that are the same rim as 5 gal.

 

[vader]

Installed mine today. Chicks figured it out less than a minute

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Thanks! What is the recycle number on the ones you have?

 

[TheGeekySheep]

Thanks!  What is the recycle number on the ones you have?

#2

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
Thanks

 

[threadcrafters]

I tried the nipples and the girls figured them out but they leaked terribly. finally got the leaks stopped but the water didn't seem to go down so I was worried the girls were not getting enough to drink. when I let them out they would run to any source of water and drink, drink, drink. I have temporarily given up on this method but would really LOVE to make it work. I hate the mess and smell conventional water systems create. So much cleaner for everyone...
What am I missing on getting these to work properly? I do not want to be torturing my girls...it just seems so much harder for them to get a nice drink....but it's such a lovely idea. We had chickens years ago and water was always a messy thing.
I did built a very cool feed system. very little waste and the girls love it and so do I.

 

[ktn65]

threadcrafters,

Some questions for you:

Where were the nipples leaking?
What size hole did you drill?
What type of container are you using?
Did the horizontal nipples screw in easily?

If your container is sealed, you will need to have a hole in the top so air can replace the water that is leaving. If not, water will not come out the nipples.

 

[KaytaComyn]

Hi All,

I'd love to try the horizontal nipples, but, being in the Great Southern Land, ie. Australia, makes it difficult. Does anybody know where I can get them? All the local farm/pet/poultry suppliers have never even heard of them. And Amazon won't ship to Australia.

 

[iwiw60]

threadcrafters,

Some questions for you:

Where were the nipples leaking?
What size hole did you drill?
What type of container are you using?
Did the horizontal nipples screw in easily?

If your container is sealed, you will need to have a hole in the top so air can replace the water that is leaving. If not, water will not come out the nipples.

Those are my exact questions, also. I think it may be a combination of those things that attributed to it not working right. If you don't screw those things "straight-on" to the bucket surface you can have leaks for sure. I also think the bucket lid may have been 'snapped' down too tight...hopefully he/she will reply so we can help him get this straightened out quickly.

 

[threadcrafters]

Hi and thanks for your replies. I solved the leaking by buying the correct size drill bit. Duh. I'm thinking the issue is no air hole in the container. Of course their were no installation instructions with the nipples. I followed someone's YouTube video
Soooo that said if I add an air hole my girls will not have to struggle to get water ? Yippee.
I have a heated bucket I was hoping to use for winter. We are in n e ohio where the winters are brutal. If I drill the holes through the side at or near the bottom do you think that would help to keep them from freezing?
Thanks
Cheryl