Great info for first timers. I'm adding a new batch of just a few chicks to my existing small flock. I use nipple style waterer (made from recycled items) but I use a 'regular jar waterer' for the chicks. At what age can they use the nipple waterers? Yours look just days old - I've got a one-gallon jug with two nipples in it - but I didn't think they could handle it for a few weeks. I'll try it soon - they look smart!
They can use the nipple waterers right away! As soon as we put them in the brooder, I take a few chicks and show them where the water is by gently pressing their beaks onto the nipples. They catch on right away. Once a couple know how to work it, the others learn from them. I even successfully used nipple waterers with turkey poults (they are notorious for being slow learners). They are 10 days old now, all thriving, and have only used nipple waterers. The key is you want the straight, vertical nipples that hang down (like this: www.qcsupply.com/hanging-tube-waterer-6-nipples.html). There are also horizontal nipples, and those are better suited to older birds (like this: www.amazon.com/Gallon-Chicken-Waterer-Horizontal-Nipple/dp/B0756P9KN5)
I just posted a video on how to build the automatic brooder waterer setup I have, you can check it out here 👉 th-cam.com/video/1eqjGzJatys/w-d-xo.htmlsi=JE9uXZKU054j8G0N
@@HeadrickHomestead great info - thanks! Yes, I have the side-mounted ones and they are too stiff for the chicks to work - but they are trying! I have two turkey chicks and they seem to be be getting it and tapping my finger when I activate the plunger. I was suprised to see them take to it SO fast! I think they will be able to use the waterers in a few weeks, Next time, I'll get the other style. Thanks for the link!
Thank you for the info. I've been cleaning and changing the water at least twice a day. It did help when i elevated the feeder and water 3/4 inch. I can't go much higher because one bantam is quite small. Even though she is a month old, she is small enough that she often tries to to sit underneath the roadies the same age. She is 1/3 the size. If i go 1 1/2 inch, she can't reach.
The nipple waterers sound great for both chicks and chooks. What i did was paved a small area, then put boards around the edge of the pavers. The boards are high enough to stop them scooting the dirt over, but low enough for them to jump over. Works perfectly.
You can buy bigger waterers that would make filling less frequent. But my favorite low maintenance waterer is to build this automatic nipple waterer 👉th-cam.com/video/1eqjGzJatys/w-d-xo.htmlsi=JE9uXZKU054j8G0N
Great info for first timers. I'm adding a new batch of just a few chicks to my existing small flock. I use nipple style waterer (made from recycled items) but I use a 'regular jar waterer' for the chicks. At what age can they use the nipple waterers? Yours look just days old - I've got a one-gallon jug with two nipples in it - but I didn't think they could handle it for a few weeks. I'll try it soon - they look smart!
They can use the nipple waterers right away! As soon as we put them in the brooder, I take a few chicks and show them where the water is by gently pressing their beaks onto the nipples. They catch on right away. Once a couple know how to work it, the others learn from them. I even successfully used nipple waterers with turkey poults (they are notorious for being slow learners). They are 10 days old now, all thriving, and have only used nipple waterers. The key is you want the straight, vertical nipples that hang down (like this: www.qcsupply.com/hanging-tube-waterer-6-nipples.html). There are also horizontal nipples, and those are better suited to older birds (like this: www.amazon.com/Gallon-Chicken-Waterer-Horizontal-Nipple/dp/B0756P9KN5)
I just posted a video on how to build the automatic brooder waterer setup I have, you can check it out here 👉 th-cam.com/video/1eqjGzJatys/w-d-xo.htmlsi=JE9uXZKU054j8G0N
@@HeadrickHomestead great info - thanks! Yes, I have the side-mounted ones and they are too stiff for the chicks to work - but they are trying!
I have two turkey chicks and they seem to be be getting it and tapping my finger when I activate the plunger. I was suprised to see them take to it SO fast!
I think they will be able to use the waterers in a few weeks, Next time, I'll get the other style. Thanks for the link!
Thank you for the info. I've been cleaning and changing the water at least twice a day. It did help when i elevated the feeder and water 3/4 inch. I can't go much higher because one bantam is quite small. Even though she is a month old, she is small enough that she often tries to to sit underneath the roadies the same age. She is 1/3 the size. If i go 1 1/2 inch, she can't reach.
Ahh yes, bantams do make things trickier. Have you tried a nipple waterer? Although the size difference would probably make that hard as well...
The nipple waterers sound great for both chicks and chooks. What i did was paved a small area, then put boards around the edge of the pavers. The boards are high enough to stop them scooting the dirt over, but low enough for them to jump over. Works perfectly.
Love this idea! Thank you for sharing!
Are there other types of watering systems that require less time filling up the container all the time?
You can buy bigger waterers that would make filling less frequent. But my favorite low maintenance waterer is to build this automatic nipple waterer 👉th-cam.com/video/1eqjGzJatys/w-d-xo.htmlsi=JE9uXZKU054j8G0N
Yes, it is a problem. Thanks for sharing.
It's a struggle everyone faces...hope this helps!