Watering the birds with nipples

[kpm2012]

I am building a contraption to water my birds and want to try the nipples. Do they figure out how to use them or what training is needed??? I would think this would be common sense with life's creatures, but the dumb question is the one not asked- Right?

 

[Bunnylady]

I usually start my chicks with a basic chick waterer, and move up to an automatic water system with valves or in a few cases, rabbit water bottles.

They seem to get the idea pretty quickly, though I often put the waterer near the valve to get their attention over there anyway. Since the valves are shiny, the chicks tend to peck at them anyway, and once one chick figures it out, it becomes a case of "chicky see, chicky do."

 

[chfite]

When I change them over to nipples, I present an installation of nipples and wait. Once one chicken finds it and tries it, I remove the other water. The others join in quickly. Usually takes about 10 minutes.

As was said, "Chicky see, Chicky do."

Chris

 

[chicknfun]

I have some waterers with nipples. I like them a lot, but some chickens take a little longer to get the idea than others! I guess that shows that some chickens are a little smarter than others..

I definitely agree that once one figures it out the rest follow. I have red ones, and so they are pretty quick to try to peck at it. If you have a really.....stubborn chicken, try tapping the bottom and let them get the water off your finger. That's all it took for my chicks to get the hint

ETA: no question is dumb, but like what you said about the question not asked

 

[mzliz]

My chickens are older and didn't seem to "get it" so I smeared the nipples with peanut butter. That did it! (worried that peanut butter might be a big "no no". That was two weeks ago and they're all still alive so must be ok LOL).

 

[TanteK]

I'm going to have to try out the peanut butter bit! Mine are just not interested....