Winter watering concerns

[Murdy]

I found a plastic one with a heated base. 3gal...should work I think. We get pretty cold up here though. I may have to wrap it in insulation. We'll see.

 

[aart]

I'm now concerned that they won't be getting proper water from the nipples.

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.

I've had all age birds either pick it right up within an hour...and others that take weeks to really figure it out.

Here's my thoughts on 'nipple training'.

First, it's good to know how much water your flock consumes 'normally', I top off water every morning and have marks on the waterers so I know about how much they drink.

Found they drank just as much from the nipples as they did from the open waterer.

-Do not train to nipples during extreme temps when dehydration is more of a risk.

-Show them how with your finger(tho that might just train them to wait for your finger),
and/or manually grab them and push their head/beak onto the trigger(easier with chicks than adults).

-No other water source, best to 'train' during mild weather when dehydration is less of an immediate health risk. I do provide an open waterer late in day to make sure they don't go to roost dehydrated, especially young chicks.

It can take days or weeks to get them fully switched over, just takes observation, consistency, and patience.

 

[Murdy]

As much as I would like for them to take to the nipple, I just don't trust that they are getting enough. Consistently this week they have run straight to the open water source as soon as the run door opens up in the morning. The plastic one with the heated base will do... As long as it keeps up to maintain liquid water. Especially in the really cold periods I'll use the nipples as a back up... And make sure to have friends swing by on the regular when I'm out of town.

I've had all age birds either pick it right up within an hour...and others that take weeks to really figure it out.

Here's my thoughts on 'nipple training'.

First, it's good to know how much water your flock consumes 'normally', I top off water every morning and have marks on the waterers so I know about how much they drink.

Found they drank just as much from the nipples as they did from the open waterer.

-Do not train to nipples during extreme temps when dehydration is more of a risk.

-Show them how with your finger(tho that might just train them to wait for your finger),
and/or manually grab them and push their head/beak onto the trigger(easier with chicks than adults).

-No other water source, best to 'train' during mild weather when dehydration is less of an immediate health risk. I do provide an open waterer late in day to make sure they don't go to roost dehydrated, especially young chicks.

It can take days or weeks to get them fully switched over, just takes observation, consistency, and patience.

 

[aart]

Especially in the really cold periods I'll use the nipples as a back up

Not a great 'backup' unless you're sure they all use them.

 

[Murdy]

Not a great 'backup' unless you're sure they all use them.

I've seen them use them... And the water goes away when they have no other option... But they certainly drink more out of open water.

The thing is that I KNOW the heater in that Pail will keep the water thawed. I'm unsure about the heater open water contraption. My fingers are crossed.

 

[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.
View attachment 2396569

Thought I would update on my setup. The fount with heated base kept the water from icing this morning, and it was -8F here in southern Minnesota!