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

[BellevueOmlet]

That is one reason I switched to water cups. They always have a supply of water to drink from. I used nipple sin the past and they wer efine but my chickens always seemed thirsty and looke dfor other sources of water. I'm not knocking nipples, I just like cups better.

 

[Aria]

We use a 5 gallon bucket with the waterers on the bottom. We have it hung on a chain from the ceiling.....down so the chickens can walk under it with no problem. In the winter we do have an old fashioned heater in the water. Now it is not in.

It took them a while to use it. We also have the usual waterer in a corner hung from the ceiling. We have 14 chickens and find this works great. Sometimes they drink from one place sometimes they drink from the nipples. This leave more fresh water available and this also gives them something more to do. Takes a week or so...they will use it. Ours do. Aria

 

[discombobulatedfarmer]

I am down to 3 silkies and about to move to suburbia, so they will be leaving their big coop and going into rabbit cages until we can build or buy another coop for them. While they are going to be waiting, I wanted to try nipple waterers this summer. I am hoping we will have a coop built before winter comes. Any suggestions on how to introduce them to the nipple (for rabbits) waterers?

 

[Arielle]

Update: with the milk jugs rearranged, they drank only about an inch of water from the neck down, so that's not a lot of water( 25 LF); I replaced their usual waterer and they flocked to it crowding around it. THe outside one is used, but no more than the inside ones. I'm at a loss as to why they are not using them enough to meet their water needs.

I'm not going to give up; I don't like cleaning the old type; the nipple waterers have me spoiled already! LOL

I have some younger birds; I'll set up a nipple waterer today to get them going and learn while they are young. THe more that use the nipple waterers the better!!

Thanks for everyone suggestions.

THis thought jumped into my head: can I coat the nipple with something tastey to encourage more pecking BUT not gum up the mechanism????

 

[goldtopper]

Just talk gently to them, as they approach, tap the nipple's metal tip with your finger. They'll notice the water drip down and keep tapping and talking. They'll pick it up in a minute or two.

 

[Arielle]

I've showed them how to use it. THey do crowd around it, but their effort is almost useless. THe quick poking doesn't get the droplet into the mouth; so the quick poking becomes more quick poking and no reward for some.

I went back to the website to reread directions. I'll try again.

Thanks for the ideas.