Training hens to use a chicken nipple drinker

Switching your flock to a chicken nipple drinker is one of the best upgrades you can make for your backyard chickens and coop. It keeps water completely clean and stops the chore of ditching dirty water everyday. If you’re new to this system, you might wonder how to train your hens to use a chicken nipple drinker. The good news is that with a little patience and the right approach, your hens will adapt quickly and confidently.

Why Choose a Chicken Nipple Drinker?

Traditional drinkers can get dirty fast, especially when curious hens scratch bedding into them or perch on the rim. A chicken nipple drinker delivers water only when a hen pecks at the small metal nipple, keeping the supply clean from inside the drinker straight to your hens’ beak. It’s a simple change that ensures your hens have access to clean water all the time.

Getting Started: Preparation is Key

Before introducing the new drinker, make sure it’s installed at the right height – in line with your hens’ beaks, so they have to reach up slightly to peck at the nipple. Fill it with fresh, cool water. If possible, set up the nipple drinker alongside your hens’ usual water source for a day or two, so they can get used to seeing it.

Step-by-Step Training

1. Remove other water sources: Once you’re ready to train, take away all other poultry drinkers. This encourages your hens to investigate the nipples when they get thirsty.
2. Demonstrate the nipple: Gently tap the nipple with your finger until water drips out; this helps your hens associate the nipples with their water source. Curious hens will often come over to investigate. You can also guide a hen’s beak to the nipple and gently press it so she sees water appear.
3. Encourage exploration: Some hens catch on immediately, while others need a little more encouragement. If your flock seems hesitant, try adding a small amount of a treat on the nipple to encourage your poultry to peck and discover the release of water.
4. Monitor closely: For the first few hours, keep a close eye on your flock. Make sure each hen discovers how the nipple works before you remove other water sources. If you have a large flock, check that the more timid birds aren’t being crowded out by dominant hens.
5. Be patient: Most hens learn within a day. If you have older birds or a particularly cautious flock, it might take a bit longer. Stay patient and keep demonstrating as needed.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Double-check that the nipples are working smoothly and the drinker is at the right height for all your hens. If you have a mixed size flock, you may need a couple of poultry drinkers at different heights to suit everyone.
• For chicks, wait until they’re at least a week old before introducing nipple drinkers, and always supervise closely

Omlet and your flock

The Omlet Insulated Chicken Nipple Drinker not only ensures water remains completely clean from dirt and poo from inside the sealed source to your chickens’ beak, but the light blocking body also stops algae build up inside before it starts. Other nipple drinkers freeze in winter, but the innovative insulation of the Omlet Drinker keeps water fluid for 10 hours at -20C. 

This entry was posted in Chickens

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