Water nipples...

[ChickenGeek_101]

Hello

So I've heard some good and bad things about the water nipples. I have never used them but might want to try them since I got some for Christmas, but still unsure about them .

Whats the best and worst thing on having them?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Abriana]

Pros:
They stay clean. Feed, dirt, bedding, and grass don't get flung into the water. Since the waterer will usually have a lid as well it stays very very clean, except for algae buildup on the bottom, but you get that with pretty much any kind of waterer.

They can be used in virtually anything that you can drill them into! I bought a heated bucket and put them into it and it works wonderfully in the wintertime, and for summer I use a gigantic orange bucket from Home Depot.

They are easy for birds to learn how to use. I've never had a problem with new pullets and cockerels learning how to drink, although I worry about it all the time. It's silly

Cons:
I haven't found any!

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Did you get the horizontal or vertical kind?

 

[ChickenGeek_101]

Did you get the horizontal or vertical kind?

Vertical

 

[Abriana]

Vertical

those can be kind of hard because if you set the waterer down you will break them. I have horizontal and I absolutely love them. The vertical were more difficult to store and clean but they work just as well. I'd say give them a try. They are neater than regular waterers.

 

[SueT]

I use verticals. I have heard that others had issue with birds learning to use them, but not here. I started new chicks on nipple waterers as their only choice. When they were integrated, they taught their elders. I put them in small bottles for the brooder, 3 gallon buckets for the flock. They all seem to enjoy drinking from the nipples, and the water stays clean at all times.
I have not made a heated nipple waterer, so I don't use the nipple buckets in winter.
Note: You have to have an air intake for them to work so put holes in the top of the container---unlike the gravity waterers, which cannot have any air leaks.

 

[Doc7]

I use the verticals in cranberry juice containers for chicks for their first week or two. They are too messy for me for long term. The little chicks quickly graduate to horizontal nipples which are also easier to keep thawed in winter.

 

[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.

 

[blackdog043]

I only use horizontal nipples(amazon link) Some people do ok with vertical, but more have issues with them, from what I read. Also check out reviews and star ratings for both styles on amazon and you will see what people prefer. If you want to use a nipple waterer year round, horizontal nipples and a deicer(for winter) is what you will need, vertical nipples will freeze.

Link for my waterer article. https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...ock-tank-deicer-and-horizontal-nipples.74609/

This is my 14 gallon waterer.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Upside with vertical ones is they're easier for chickens to use compared to horizontal (pretty sure one of my chickens still doesn't quite get it). Downside is they're more prone to leakage issues (usually due to the installation holes being made too large IMO) and freeze more easily in winter weather than horizontal.

I'd use either type over an open water source just for the fact that there's so much less mess and the water stays cleaner.