The disadvantages of traditional chick drinkers are that chicks invariably foul the water with poop and litter, which is a recipe for illness and disease. Poultry veterinarian, Dr. Mike Petrik shares his thoughts on the use of poultry nipple drinkers: “NOBODY who is raising chickens professionally has used cups, bell drinkers or troughs in the past 25 years…nipples have been used successfully on literally billions of chickens. The professional farmers across North America have made nipple drinkers the standard for all chickens. In fact, as a vet, I recommend that everyone raising hens change from open water sources to nipple drinkers….the hens get plenty of water, and the disease reduction is so striking that there is no doubt which is better.

The advantage of a nipple system is that it is quite resistant to bacterial growth, unlike the septic soup that most open waterers quickly become. I cannot recommend strongly enough that backyard chicken keepers consider using a nipple watering system for their hens…” Dr. Mike Petrik, DVM, MSc.aka: The Chicken Vet

I raided my living room for a pillar candle holder to rig up this nipple drinker, which worked well, but it’s not as economical or as easy to find as a tomato cage stand.

Features of a Good Poultry Nipple Drinker Stand

• Stable.
• Height-adjustable for rapidly growing chicks.
• Small footprint. Won’t take up valuable floor square footage.
• Portable. Easily moved for brooder cleaning and relocation.
• Space available underneath to accommodate a water catchment to protect litter.

LET’S MAKE IT!
Take a galvanized wire tomato cage and turn it upside down. Bend the unfinished prongs over and secure to opposite side with wire or zip ties. Cover unfinished ends with electric tape or duct tape.

I raided my living room for a pillar candle holder to rig up this nipple drinker, which worked well, but it’s not as economical or as easy to find as a tomato cage stand.

Features of a Good Poultry Nipple Drinker Stand

• Stable.
• Height-adjustable for rapidly growing chicks.
• Small footprint. Won’t take up valuable floor square footage.
• Portable. Easily moved for brooder cleaning and relocation.
• Space available underneath to accommodate a water catchment to protect litter.

LET’S MAKE IT!
Take a galvanized wire tomato cage and turn it upside down. Bend the unfinished prongs over and secure to opposite side with wire or zip ties. Cover unfinished ends with electric tape or duct tape.