What age of chicks can use nipple cup waterers?

[PioneerChicks]

I'm getting 50+ chicks in a month and am trying to figure out water. I have an adult waterer that they could use once they are a month old, but until then...

I have two standard quart sized waterers, but I don't want to use them for more than a couple weeks. Too small for so many chicks!

I have a couple horizontal nipple cups that I can use (picture below). My question is, how soon can the chicks use these? Will they be able to push the nipple by, say, two weeks?



My last resort is to get vertical nipples, but I'm hoping to avoid this

 

[Debbie292d]

We just use vertical nipple bottles from age 3 days old until about 2 months old, then show them the horizontal nipple ones.

In 9 years, I never opted to use those cups as they need cleaning. Nipples rarely do.

 

[PioneerChicks]

We just use vertical nipple bottles from age 3 days old until about 2 months old, then show them the horizontal nipple ones.

In 9 years, I never opted to use those cups as they need cleaning. Nipples rarely do.

I've used them before and didn't mind the cleaning, though if nipples don't need ANY cleaning that is even better! Maybe I will give them a try.

Have you ever tried using horizontal nipples with younger birds?

 

[Debbie292d]

I've used them before and didn't mind the cleaning, though if nipples don't need ANY cleaning that is even better! Maybe I will give them a try.

Have you ever tried using horizontal nipples with younger birds?

Yes, at a few weeks old we've put this in there. They don't seem to be really proficient at them until closer to 8 weeks. These are silkies though so probably bigger birds could do it sooner.

This is an old Tupperware cereal container for in the brooder. Outside they get the nipple buckets.


We'll put it in there so they start pecking on them but they get nothing out.

 

[PioneerChicks]

Yes, at a few weeks old we've put this in there. They don't seem to be really proficient at them until closer to 8 weeks. These are silkies though so probably bigger birds could do it sooner.

This is an old Tupperware cereal container for in the brooder. Outside they get the nipple buckets.
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We'll put it in there so they start pecking on them but they get nothing out.

View attachment 4091515

This is helpful! Thank you! Cute silkies

I will have standard sized so hopefully they can use them just a little earlier

 

[Backroadlogic]

I don't have experience with that type but I can ad that in a commercial environment they use traditional nipple waterers from day 1