Thanks! My birds started out with the inverted jar/dish waterer. But after a pretty harsh first winter, I switched to the nipple style because it wasn't as prone to freezing. The girls figured it out pretty quickly. I'll probably start the new chicks with the jar/dish style and then begin training them for the alternate style a few weeks prior to moving them to the run.
Thanks! My girls figured out the nipple style pretty quickly as adults. I'll probably start the new additions with the inverted jar/dish style and then begin training on the nipple style a few weeks prior to moving them in with the older flock.
We also had a Cold Winter here in Tennessee! I've never seen it so cold for my chickens. My biggest issue is Freezing Chicken Waterers also, but I give em twice a day Fresh Drinking water anyway so they should be, seem to be doing good! Where are you located?
That is exactly how I "trained" my adult birds to use the nipple style as well. Then just observed for awhile until I was sure that all them were using it consistently. I agree--I don't see why this wouldn't work with baby chicks as well.
We live in northwest Ohio. When temperatures are seasonal, winters are cold, but not terrible. However, we do have cold snaps (like this past week) when temperatures drop below zero with even colder wind chills. I've done a few things to winterize the coop and so far the girls have come through this past week without any signs of frost bite. When the temperatures get this low, I bring the waterer in at night (hens don't eat/drink at night anyway) then re-fill it with warm water and replace it in the morning. So far it hasn't frozen, even with the recent cold snap. The waterer sits within an enclosed run that I've wrapped with clear vinyl sheeting. It's probably the best thing I could have done to winterize the coop. On sunny days, it can be 15-20 degrees warmer than the outside air temperature. It's like a little sun room!
