Poultry Nipple Drinker heated

This 3 gallon, thermostatically-controlled poultry nipple drinker is my preferred drinker for my chickens.

Water is the driving force of all nature -Leonardo da Vinci  

Chickens cannot be healthy if they are drinking dirty water. A poultry nipple drinker is the best way to deliver consistently clean water to chickens of all ages. 

Why Water is Critically Important to Chickens

For Metabolism

“Water is involved in every aspect of poultry metabolism. It plays important roles in regulating body temperature, digesting food, and eliminating body wastes. At normal temperatures, poultry consume at least twice as much water as feed. When heat stress occurs, water consumption will double or quadruple.”

The Essential Nutrient

“Water is often taken for granted, and yet it is probably the most essential nutrient. Water is by far the single greatest constituent of the body, and, in general, represents about 70% of total body weight. Access to water is very important, and a lack of water for several hours will probably cause a decline in egg production. Hens are more sensitive to a lack of water than a lack of feed.”

Chick Nipple Drinker

Chick poultry nipple drinkers keep the brooder dry and the water clean 100% of the time!

 

Amount of Water Needed

“Water and food consumption rates are interdependent, so reduced water intake can also lead to reduced food intake. There are other factors that affect water intake, with temperature being the most obvious one. For example, chickens drink between 30-50% more water when the environmental temperature is above 32oC compared with when it is 21oC. Water intake is also affected by the type of drinkers used. The rule of thumb for water intake is that water intake is usually 1.5 to 2 times feed intake.”

 

For Digestion

“Water in the crop softens the feed so that digestion can occur. Without the water, dry feed forms clumps in the crop that can press on the bird’s carotid artery, decreasing blood flow to the brain. This can cause paralysis and possible death. Poultry anatomy complicates matters. A split in the upper hard palate of the beak allows air into the nasal passages and prevents the chicken from forming a vacuum in its mouth. Hens, therefore, rely on gravity to draw water into the crop.”

Why Water is Critically Important to Chickens

As my flock has grown in size and number, so have the number and size of waterers I have tried. Small, 1 or 2 gallon, opaque waterers allow sunlight to pass through, which causes algae and biofilm growth and they require filling frequently. Not convenient, and slimy water does not support chicken health.

For Egg Production

An egg consists of approximately 75% water and without access to a regular, clean supply of water, a hen will be physically unable to produce eggs.

With baby chicks, I find that raising the waterer up from the floor with a block of wood or cookie tin keeps the water cleaner longer. They will eventually learn to climb on top of the waterer and a large, upside-down funnel works to discourage that behavior.

Keeping water liquid during freezing temperatures is a major challenge that must be met as chickens’ feed consumption increases in the cold and they require water to digest it. I made several cookie tin water heaters, for less than $10 each, which work well in a pinch, but the heated, 3 gallon poultry nipple drinker is my preferred water delivery method, by far.

cookie tin water heater

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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Poultry Nipple Drinker heated

This 3 gallon, thermostatically-controlled poultry nipple drinker is my preferred drinker for my chickens.

Water is the driving force of all nature -Leonardo da Vinci  

Chickens cannot be healthy if they are drinking dirty water. A poultry nipple drinker is the best way to deliver consistently clean water to chickens of all ages. 

Why Water is Critically Important to Chickens

For Metabolism

“Water is involved in every aspect of poultry metabolism. It plays important roles in regulating body temperature, digesting food, and eliminating body wastes. At normal temperatures, poultry consume at least twice as much water as feed. When heat stress occurs, water consumption will double or quadruple.”

The Essential Nutrient

“Water is often taken for granted, and yet it is probably the most essential nutrient. Water is by far the single greatest constituent of the body, and, in general, represents about 70% of total body weight. Access to water is very important, and a lack of water for several hours will probably cause a decline in egg production. Hens are more sensitive to a lack of water than a lack of feed.”

Chick Nipple Drinker

Chick poultry nipple drinkers keep the brooder dry and the water clean 100% of the time!

 

Amount of Water Needed

“Water and food consumption rates are interdependent, so reduced water intake can also lead to reduced food intake. There are other factors that affect water intake, with temperature being the most obvious one. For example, chickens drink between 30-50% more water when the environmental temperature is above 32oC compared with when it is 21oC. Water intake is also affected by the type of drinkers used. The rule of thumb for water intake is that water intake is usually 1.5 to 2 times feed intake.”

 

For Digestion

“Water in the crop softens the feed so that digestion can occur. Without the water, dry feed forms clumps in the crop that can press on the bird’s carotid artery, decreasing blood flow to the brain. This can cause paralysis and possible death. Poultry anatomy complicates matters. A split in the upper hard palate of the beak allows air into the nasal passages and prevents the chicken from forming a vacuum in its mouth. Hens, therefore, rely on gravity to draw water into the crop.”

Why Water is Critically Important to Chickens

As my flock has grown in size and number, so have the number and size of waterers I have tried. Small, 1 or 2 gallon, opaque waterers allow sunlight to pass through, which causes algae and biofilm growth and they require filling frequently. Not convenient, and slimy water does not support chicken health.

For Egg Production

An egg consists of approximately 75% water and without access to a regular, clean supply of water, a hen will be physically unable to produce eggs.

With baby chicks, I find that raising the waterer up from the floor with a block of wood or cookie tin keeps the water cleaner longer. They will eventually learn to climb on top of the waterer and a large, upside-down funnel works to discourage that behavior.

Keeping water liquid during freezing temperatures is a major challenge that must be met as chickens’ feed consumption increases in the cold and they require water to digest it. I made several cookie tin water heaters, for less than $10 each, which work well in a pinch, but the heated, 3 gallon poultry nipple drinker is my preferred water delivery method, by far.

cookie tin water heater
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Starchix
Starchix
10 years ago

In one of the photos, it looks like you are using a nipple waterer with the cookie tin base? Does the nipple not freeze? I have been wanting to try nipple waterers, but now that fall is here and a cole winter ahead, I figured I would have to wait — that they are only good in above-freezing temperatures. It also looks like what I am interpreting as the nipple is coming out of the cookie tine base, not the waterer itself. ????

Lee-Ann Pittari
Lee-Ann Pittari
10 years ago

I agree that your pictures should be included with the instructions. :)

Dawn E. Sarver
Dawn E. Sarver
10 years ago

possibly a pipe heat tape for house pipes, i use one on an out door "frost free" bib that tends to freeze. might have to completely cover with electric tape to protect from curiosity pecks….just a thought…

mainemomandwife
mainemomandwife
10 years ago

heat tapes on the back of the pvc pipe will keep the water from freezing thats what we do and we live in maine

Stevo
Stevo
11 years ago

So after a 5 month fight with my waterer, it now works perfectly thanks to you! Shout out and wahooooo!