Watering Nipples stopped working...suggestions?

[smithzoo]

I purchased a bunch of nipples (http://amzn.com/B008AZTHNS) and tapped some buckets for my girls. I love the cleanliness of the setup, but found that the nipples stop working. The food grade buckets were brand new and cleaned. The nipples were dismantled, cleaned & tested before using. They worked great for a bit but then just stopped. Tapping the nipple would simply produce no water any longer. Replaced all the nipples in the bucket and they failed after a few days. I routinely checked the water level, but not the function of the nipples, which lead to a dry spell (they have water outside their coop). I bought a traditional waterer to until i get this figured out, but what a mess, and what a waste of water. Any suggestions to keep them from failing?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

So the problem is that they aren't releasing water but not clogging?

 

[smithzoo]

They don't appear clogged. Defitinety not releasing water.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I've used two types of vertical nipples and the horizontal kind. I've never seen that problem. Perhaps contact the manufacturer.
I've had lots of problems with leaks and the think coming apart, releasing all the water but never one that wouldn't release water.
Perhaps try backflushing.

 

[ttakas]

Are your buckets airtight? I drilled a few small pilot holes in the top of mine and that helped the flow.

 

[smithzoo]

Never even thought to try that...great suggestion!

 

[ttakas]

I put a few of these nipples on clean mayo jars for my biddy box, then couldn't figure out what the problem was. Two little holes in the top made them work for me. My large 3gallon bucket, I just let the top stay unsealed.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

That makes perfect sense but I hadn't considered it to be the problem since I hadn't encountered it.

If I use a bucket, the top sits on loosely. Most of them are in PVC with a vented system.