Water nipples...

[wamtazlady]

I have used both vertical and horizontal nipples. Like them both very much more than an open container of water. The biggest plus is that the chicken's water stays clean. I live in NW Montana and our winters can be rather cold. I use horizontal nipples, an 11 gallon clear plastic tote, and a stock tank deicer for my water system. Water is kept outside in the run. Stayed thawed even when the temperature went down to -22. The best part is that the water only needs filled once a week or so.

I did have to replace my tote this year after using the old one for 3 years. It started leaking. Was easier to get a new tote than try to figure out where it was leaking.

Some people say their chickens are not able to learn to use the nipples. I have used the nipples on 4 or 5 different batches of chickens. I put the nipple waterer in with them, take out all the other water sources, and leave. I have never had a chicken not learn to use the nipples within a couple hours. One time it was after dark when I put young pullets into a coop. When I checked on them at 7 am they were all getting drinks from the nipples. Before I got those pullets they had been drinking from a dog dish.

 

[ngennetta]

The horizontal nipples are MUCH better than the verticals. I hope this chart helps!

 

[TheBeardie]

I have two different nipple waterers and I really do like them. Both have these in them.

https://www.amazon.com/Commercial-Bargains-Automatic-Chicken-Drinker/dp/B008AW4F38/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1546561593&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Commercial+Bargains+50+Automatic+Chicken+Water+Nipple+Drinker+Feeders+Poultry+Hen+Screw+Style&dpPl=1&dpID=413drMyo+EL&ref=plSrch

They can be a little leaky if not teflon taped right. I'll go out in the morning to take pictures of both of my waterers. One is a 50 gallon drum with PVC Connections and drilled holes for the nipples. The other one is a 5 gallon bucket with the nipples on the bottom and the toilet plumbing still needs to be connected to the water. Something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/Fluidmaster-400CRP14-Universal-Flapper-Toilets/dp/B007TUHQWY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1546562437&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=Fluidmaster+400CRP14+Universal+Toilet+Fill+Valve+and+Flapper+Repair+Kit,+for+2-Inch+Flush+Valve+Toilets

When connected it will fill up on its own.

If I didn't have ducks, the nipple watering systems would be all I would have. It's very clean and here in Florida mosquitos are a huge problem, so it would cut back on open water for them to breed in.

All of my chickens know how to use them. Some of my muscovy ducks know how to use them too!