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.
Kathy Shea Mormino
Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on
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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.
I have been trying to find a better way to hang the nipples.
How do you keep the older hens from perching on top of the water can and getting poop in the water? We have it sitting on a heat pedestal to keep
From freezing otherwise we’d hang it.
Hmmm, I made the mistake of searching “chick nipples” on Google recently. Often the results have nothing to do with waterers. :-/
Would love to win! I just got some new chick’s that this would be wonderful for!
Not sure if I missed it but was unable to comment prior. The grandpa feeder is a must have and I MUST HAVE! I have tossed more feed then my girls have probably eaten?