Water miser nipple

[dubchickengirl]

I bought one of the Avian Water miser nipples. How old do the chicks have to be to use this? They are trying to drink from it, but it doesn't seem to me that they get much water at a time from these things. Can anyone give me advice? So many thanks.

 

[chicky_mommy]

The thing with those nipple waterers, is that they only as much water as they need, and if they want or need more then they stay at the nipple.

I've seen day old chicks use them.

 

[ThePhoebeFive]

I just brought chicks home yesterday, and since my local feed store didn't have the Aqua Miser nipples, I opted for a rabbit bottle with a nipple-type thingy on it. I.e., it looks like the water bottles I used for rabbits, rats, hamsters, etc. as a kid, but at the end of the bent metal tube, instead of a ball, there's a metal pin/stick thing. I've tested it with my finger, I know it works, but my chicks don't seem to get it. After a couple of hours I gave up and put a little ceramic bowl of water in the brooder. They RAN to it! I left the rabbit bottle in, but maybe they like what they're used to (the bowl)?

So, here's my worry and question: Are they strong enough to make the rabbit bottle release water with the pin/nipple? (They're all between 3 and 6 days old.) Will they learn to use the bottle better if they don't have the bowl?

 

[chicky_mommy]

they will learn to use the bottle/nipple better and faster if they don't have easier access to water in a bowl

make sure they can reach it, take one chick and drip a few drops onto the tip of its beak or onto its toes, it will get the picture and show the others.

 

[ThePhoebeFive]

I'm just terrified they'll dehydrate! What signs do I look for to know they aren't getting it?

 

[classicsredone]

They'll figure it out pretty quickly. Chickens LOVE to peck anything shiny.

 

[chicky_mommy]

if they get lethargic or start to loose feathers then give them the bowl to be safe.

 

[ThePhoebeFive]

OK. Thank you all for your help! And so quickly, too!