Worried about not having enough water in coop. Using nipple waterers.

[Heathercp]

I'm having trouble concentrating because my two cats are trying to catch a mouse they brought in and let loose in the living room. It's under the couch, so I can't reach it. The darn fool things are just laying on the floor staring at it. Ugh!!

At any rate, waiting for my chickens is really starting to make me crazy. Now I'm worried about their water.

Right now I've got three nipples (from FarmTek) and I'm trying to decide how to use them. (Yes, I know I should have ordered 4 or 5 for that matter. Don't know what I was thinking....)

I've also got two 1-gallon pitchers and one 5-gallon bucket. I was thinking of putting the two 1-gallon pitchers in the coop mounted on the wall and hanging the 5 gallon bucket outside in their run. Now I'm pretty sure that 5-7 gallons is plenty of water for 10 chickens, but I'm wondering if two gallons will be enough for 10 birds overnight.

We've got an automatic pop-door working that will open at dawn and close again well after dusk. I don't want any stragglers hanging out in the run all night. And our climate is pretty mild here in the NC Piedmont, so I'm guessing the birds will want to spend most of their time outside the coop. But I'm not sure. I suppose if they're thirsty they'll go to the big waterer outside. And will my ladies share, do you think? I just know I'm not going to rest easy until I give them a few more nipples.

So how 'bout it you trusty BYCers... any advice, suggestions, comforting words of wisdom?

P.S. The cats got bored and left the rodent under the armoire for me to deal with. Anyone know what these things are?

 

[B'villechicken]

I have a one gallon waterer and it lasts two days for eight Red Stars. I think you'll have pleanty of water. I'm out there twice daily anyway collecting eggs, putting them away etc and keep track of their feed & water. I think it would be different if you wanted to have a low or minimal maintenance operation but the reason to have a hobby is to spend time with that hobby. You'll be fine.

 

[DaughterOfEve]

I have 7 fowl and use 1 two gallon waterer in the coop in the winter on a heater base. I use 2 nipple style in the summer, one inside and one outside and a three gallon waterer outside (the waterer with the heater takes a rest in the summer). I usually have to change refill every other day all year round. Sounds to me like your brood has plenty of choices too.

 

[CheerfulHeart2]

You might check out these for ideas:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2636-chicken-nipples-anyone [this is the one I am planning to model mine after - I got mine nipples from Kullas too.]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=208652

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3176573

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3176573

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=189137&p=9

 

[exmnred]

My girls currently use those regular upside down bottle waterers, with all the side effects, straw and droppings in the water, and water on the floor. They'll be close to a year old this spring, do you suppose they'll learn to use the nipple type operation before expiring from dehydration? Would I wean them from the old waterers or make them do it "cold turkey?"

 

[gryeyes]

Heathercp - those are plenty, and the chickens really don't drink much at night. I keep a 1 gallon waterer in the coop for the occasion when I might not be home to let them out in the morning, due to some work overnight trip. It has lasted forever, because I haven't yet had to depend upon it. My 5 gallon waterer has 3 nipples on it for 9 chickens.

I also had a PVC pipe with four nipples, installed on the A Frame coop, but I need to flush the pipe or something. One of the nipples drips constantly. So that 'system' has been empty for over a week, and the chickens only have access to the bucket/nipple system.

exmnred - Your chickens will learn how to use the nipples just fine. Just tap on the nipples to let water drip, when the chickens are around to see it. They'll get curious, and try, and voila! learn how to use 'em!