Winter watering concerns

[Murdy]

Hello all!
If got 2 types of watering that I've been using. As pictured.
I've been keeping the 5gal pail with chicken nipple in the run and have removed the metal one. The other day I put the metal one back in the yard as I saw them drinking from the down spouts from the eaves. This morning I let them out of the run and they all bee-lined it to the metal can and drank.

I've seen some, but not all drinking from the nipples. I purchased the heater that you can see in the picture as that's apparently among the most reliable ways to keep the water flowing.

I'm now concerned that they won't be getting proper water from the nipples. Should I be? Or are they just being stubborn and the metal one is easier?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello all!
If got 2 types of watering that I've been using. As pictured. View attachment 2395260View attachment 2395261
I've been keeping the 5gal pail with chicken nipple in the run and have removed the metal one. The other day I put the metal one back in the yard as I saw them drinking from the down spouts from the eaves. This morning I let them out of the run and they all bee-lined it to the metal can and drank.

I've seen some, but not all drinking from the nipples. I purchased the heater that you can see in the picture as that's apparently among the most reliable ways to keep the water flowing.

I'm now concerned that they won't be getting proper water from the nipples. Should I be? Or are they just being stubborn and the metal one is easier?

It's easier for them to drink from the fount waterer. Heated bases are available for them.
I use the de-icer in the 5 gallon bucket with horizontal nipples and a loosely fitted lid to keep debris out along with a heated base fount waterer. The fount is in the run and the bucket is in the coop. They use both regularly.

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

It's easier for them to drink from the fount waterer. Heated bases are available for them.
I use the de-icer in the 5 gallon bucket with horizontal nipples and a loosely fitted lid to keep debris out along with a heated base fount waterer. The fount is in the run and the bucket is in the coop. They use both regularly.

Wanted to ad, I had one flock who was introduced to nipple drinkers kind of later in life, and they just refused to use them. Pecked at it, got water, understood there was water there - but just wouldn't use them. They can be downright stubborn sometimes, so your best bet may be to get a heated base for the other waterer.

 

[Murdy]

It's easier for them to drink from the fount waterer. Heated bases are available for them.
I use the de-icer in the 5 gallon bucket with horizontal nipples and a loosely fitted lid to keep debris out along with a heated base fount waterer. The fount is in the run and the bucket is in the coop. They use both regularly.

I guess I'll have to look for a heated base. I haven't seen any.

 

[DobieLover]

I guess I'll have to look for a heated base. I haven't seen any.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...nAO0-b4DeaUkWa1E44ZXxtA8IBemVcnMaAvfrEALw_wcB

 

[Murdy]

Wanted to ad, I had one flock who was introduced to nipple drinkers kind of later in life, and they just refused to use them. Pecked at it, got water, understood there was water there - but just wouldn't use them. They can be downright stubborn sometimes, so your best bet may be to get a heated base for the other waterer.

Oh I can see the stubbornness for sure.

They must be using the nipple though. The water disappears, and I leave them for up to a week at a time and they haven't died of dehydration.... So that's a good sign. I think. Haha

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

I guess I'll have to look for a heated base. I haven't seen any.

They have them on Amazon, but I've not ever seen them available at stores. But I also don't have a lot of store options where I live, so you may be able to find them at a bigger farm supply store

 

[Murdy]

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...nAO0-b4DeaUkWa1E44ZXxtA8IBemVcnMaAvfrEALw_wcB

I assume that's a US company? Darn near impossibly to get shipping to Canada these days. Apparently covid eliminates the ability to move things. And send emails. And talk on the phone. Ugh.

 

[vantain]

I went with the heated base for my fount waterer for this year. I would prefer the nipple waterer for winter, which I have used for the past two winters, but had go go the fount route this year. Mine is the Little Giant brand fount and heater base.

 

[vantain]

Oh...and I got the base from Amazon.