Water nipple bucket vs hanging water feeder

[backinthecoop45]

Hi,
I would like some in put on this issue. I have searched and haven't had much luck on finding an actual answer on this one.
We have way to many buckets, cups and waterers out and we need to cut it down to one easy option that everyone can use.
We have the traditional waterers in the coops and a nipple bucket and large coffee cups all around various areas outside. We want to eventually use the same water system for everyone that is also easier for us to manage. The water nipple bucket is nice because of the obvious, it holds clean water for a while where as the waterers and cups get dirty and low really quick but the chickens don't seem to know how to use the water nipple bucket so how can we switch and be confident that they will figure it out instead of dyeing from dehydration???

 

[Beer can]

I use the nipples in all my coops, and for chicks. Have a 15gal one in big coop.
When they're new to it I put their water next to the nipple waterer, they get curious and will peck at it get the hang of drinking from them real quick.

 

[ChicketySplit]

Even after installing 2 bucket nipple waterers, one in & 1 outside the coop, my birds kept up their old behaviors, i.e., drinking from the traditional waterers, until I removed the old watering systems, leaving only nipple waterers. Before I made the change, I made sure that I could be present for a couple of days, and I had to physically show some of them that the nipples were a good source of water. It actually only took a day for them to get used it. That was a couple of months ago, and only have 8 birds. They don't drink it all, but I switch our water about once a week, since we are on untreated well water.

I have also seen a modified bucket system where you cut out openings near the bottom of the bucket for the chickens to access the water, then upend a 5-gallon jug into the bucket. I haven't tried it, but maybe that's another option for you to keep water consolidated. It looks like it will need to be cleaned more often that a nipple waterers, but less often than a can, bowl, or traditional waterers.

 

[aart]

Hi,
I would like some in put on this issue. I have searched and haven't had much luck on finding an actual answer on this one.
We have way to many buckets, cups and waterers out and we need to cut it down to one easy option that everyone can use.
We have the traditional waterers in the coops and a nipple bucket and large coffee cups all around various areas outside. We want to eventually use the same water system for everyone that is also easier for us to manage. The water nipple bucket is nice because of the obvious, it holds clean water for a while where as the waterers and cups get dirty and low really quick but the chickens don't seem to know how to use the water nipple bucket so how can we switch and be confident that they will figure it out instead of dyeing from dehydration???

It takes time to 'train' the birds to use the nipples, not something to do when the temps are extreme(hot or cold). Some birds get it right off the bat, others can take weeks to adjust. Horizontal nipples are the best for cold climate, easier to heat in winter.

I find it important to know how much water the birds drink everyday and monitor the level in the nipple containers to see how/when they start using the nipples effectively.
No other waterers but the nipples should be present during training for most of the day, tho I have sometimes put out an open waterer for just a bit late in the day to make sure they go to roost hydrated.


Coffee cups?

 

[backinthecoop45]

Yep. The big soup cup types. I just want to make sure that they are drinking lots of electrolytes in this heat. They all really seem to like it and go to it because they are out free ranging all day from 8 am to 8 pm so they know where it is. We all start the morning together while they drink their water I have my coffee on the deck for a few hours, socialize with them & keep an eye on them.