Water For Chickens

[cinok]

We currently use the vacuum style waterers for our hens, but they are a pain in the butt. I was thinking about using the nipples that the hens peck at for water. have a couple questions

1. Can they work off a gravity sysyem or do they need a higher pressure?

2. Do the birds need to learn to use them or is it no brainer for them?

My plan was for a basic setup with a bucket and piping with pvc.

Thanks craig

[Anon001]

I don't know how those would work. I have mine set up with a ball float on a valve (available at feed stores and home and farm stores.) It is the same type float that goes in a toilet. When the water goes low enough to drop the valve, more water fills the waterer.

I have a 50 gallon barrel set up on blocks behind the chicken house with a bung adapter. I have a garden hose that goes through the wall of the chicken house into the feeder that is also a bit up off the floor (to eliminate filling the waterer with dirt from scratching.) I also have a "roof" over it to keep them from pooping in it when they are roosting above it.

I will fill a water tank at the pond with a gravity flow hydrant that comes through the dam and use buckets to top off the water barrel.

Of course, I can't use it in the winter.

Paul