Water nipples

[Jaiyun]

I've wanted to try the nipples but we get about 3-4 months of freezing weather so I haven't justified it yet.

I'll try to describe the set-up we use for freeze protection. We have a hose running from the faucet to an automatic waterer in a shallow 5 gallon container. The container is totally covered except for a 2" x 14" strip of open water in the front. Inside the waterer is the smallest floating stock tank water around. We run heat trace from the ground where the water pipe comes out, over the faucet, down the hose and make sure it is wrapped around the metal casing for the automatic waterer. Pipe foam insulation covers everything.

It isn't nearly as clean as the nipples would be. I'm thinking I want to try running nipples and putting heat trace along the pipe. I know they sell pressure regulators for hooking a hose up to the pipe instead of a bucket and am thinking this would help me get rid of the stock tank float.

 

[sunshinedaisy]

Quote:
Where did you purchase the waterer with the nipples already installed?

you cant get them in a bucket already to go at amazon

 

[BellevueOmlet]

If you are using a bucket and nipples, it is pretty easy to install yourself.

 

[cackydoodledoo]

I bought my nipples from Neil Grassbaugh on here. They are much cheaper and so easy to install. All you need is a drill and drill bit. I did them myself. I just tapped on mine and once one chicken started using it they all followed. They are curious by nature.

 

[Tommie D]

If you are wanting any of the red screw-in nipples, I have lots of new leftovers from the systems I build for people. $1 each + ship.

 

[Theo]

I just introduced 10 7 week old chicks to the nippled water system in their new coop by catching each one and tapping its beak against the nipple. It worked. There isn't much in their coop except the water jug and the food dish, so they may have discovered how the waterer works on their own, given time.

 

[southerndesert]

Our birds learned in just a few minutes and it is a good thing to know their not drinking each other waste anymore. Wish someone would have invented these 30 years ago...

 

[Neil Grassbaugh]

Quote:
Eldon Hostetler, Middlebury, Indiana did! About 38 years ago.

The day they were introduced spelled the end of the cup and pool of water type drinkers for the poultry industry.

Hate to admit it but I was there that day, I saw it happen. LOL.

Everybody said nipple drinkers would never work. A few billion of them later. . . .

 

[Haunted Chicken]

Any one know what size drill bit the nipples take

? I heard it was an odd size but can't remember what it was. Thanks

 

[ChickenAl]

Ours were 5/16, if I remember correctly. Might not be the same for all. Ours came with a small instruction sheet. Real easy to install in a bucket. Used teflon tape on the threads and they never leaked.