Why aren't the chickens using nipple waterer ???

[Arielle]

I started using nipple waterers a couple weeks ago. Started with one, leaving their usual waterer. Added a second, and removed their usual waterer. And now they are very thirsty!

I have watched them peck at the nipple, a very quick poke-poke-poke. The nipple waterers go empty very slowly. I read a few posts, and raised up the level of the nipple til they have to reach a bit; I kept the same water inside.THey are 10 weeks old now, RIR, SLW, and other dual purpose types.

HELP!!! Why can't they use it???

 

[blefky]

Are you making sure to leave an opening in the top of the waterer to allow air in? Doesn't need to be a large opening, but if the container is completely closed the nipples won't drip.

 

[debid]

Quote:
Ditto this! I poked holes in the side of the container, just below the lid but above the water line. You can test with your finger to be sure the water flows when you move the peg to the side.

 

[Neil Grassbaugh]

Are you using water bottles with metal pipes and balls as valves? Like for rabbits.

 

[Arielle]

Are you making sure to leave an opening in the top of the waterer to allow air in?

Yes, I drilled a hole in the cap or the neck. And I tested the "drip" while showing them.

Are you using water bottles with metal pipes and balls as valves? Like for rabbits.

No, they actually look almost exactly like your avatar. Red "plugs" with a metal rod that when pushed releases the water.

DH had an idea: could it be because all the waterers are inside and most of the hens are often out in the run? But they do go in several times a day to just sit on a roost.

 

[Arielle]

This morning they raced to the outdoor waterer (with the nipple) and drank like they were VERY thirsty. SO I checked inside the coop and the standard waterer was empty and the 2 milk jugs with nipples are still full.

Maybe they don't like the milk jugs as the waterers????

What do you use for the "bottle" when making your own nipple waterers??

 

[blefky]

I have one 5 gallon, flat sided, lifestock bucket with several nipples installed that hangs in the run, and I have multiple 2-quart pitchers hung in around the coops. If your birds are using the nipple waterer that's hung outside, then the problem is obviously not that they don't know how, or won't, use them. There must be something up with the ones that are inside. I'd replace them and see.

ETA: Just a thought - perhaps change the location and/or height at which they're currently hung inside the coop?

 

[TeaLady]

I use the same system, and I find that in cold weather the very first thing to freeze is a little cap of ice over each nipple (inside the bucket). The little metal rod that the chickens peck at conducts the cold through the nipple to the inside of the bucket.
Solution: Get an aquarium heater and keep it inside the bucket.

 

[blefky]

Quote:
I use a heater in the 5 gallon bucket during the winter also, and I take down the pitchers during that time. It seems unlikely though, that the OP's waterer inside the coop would have an ice problem but not the one outside - I always have the opposite happen, it's a bit colder outside than in the coop.

 

[Arielle]

Blefky wrote:
There must be something up with the ones that are inside. I'd replace them and see.

I'll change those that are inside the coop: one to a different bottle, the other to plain water. I'll remove the regular waterer (without nipple) and see if they will use the nipples or go thirsty. Wish me luck!

It must be something I'm doing, or not, as so many people have successfully used these nipples.​