Nipples FAQs
HOW HIGH SHOULD A CHICKEN WATERER BE?
Watering bucket should be placed on blocks so nipples are at the birds neck level.
WILL DUCKS DRINK FROM CHICKEN NIPPLES?
While ducks can and will drink from side mount nipples, they also need a dish deep enough to submerge their nostrils to clean them.
HOW HIGH SHOULD WATER NIPPLES BE FOR CHICKENS?
Watering bucket should be placed on blocks so nipples are at the birds neck level.
HOW MANY CHICKEN NIPPLES DO I NEED?
Install 1 nipple for every 6-8 birds (or 1 per 3-4 birds in hot climates)
CAN THESE BE USED FOR BIRDS OTHER THAN CHICKENS?
Yes! Our durable poultry nipples can be used with all birds, including chickens that are over 2 weeks old, quail, turkey, peafowl, guinea fowl, waterfowl and more. Our original design is extremely versatile and can also be used for rabbits, rats, mice, ferrets, mink, and other small rodents.
HOW ARE NIPPLES BETTER THAN CUPS OR OTHER WATERERS?
Vertical nipples leak and require a heavy bucket to be hung up. These style nipples also hold water and will freeze and crack, and are prone to leaking. They are also awkward for chickens to drink from.
Cups hold dirty water and algae, and chickens can step on them breaking them off. Cups also freeze easily.
Traditional waterers freeze and quickly fill with dirt, poop, and algae. Most are not compatible with Apple Cider Vinegar, and will eventually rust or crack.
Our easy-to-use side mount nipples allow your watering container to be set on the ground or on a block for easy fill ups with zero mess, and they don't freeze or break.
HOW DO CHICKEN NIPPLES REDUCE THE SPREAD OF DISEASES?
Traditional waterers and cups are an open pan of water in which the flock drinks. This open watering system is also visited by wild birds and mice.
When one sick bird takes a drink from this water, it leaves behind contagious bacteria or viruses that can be picked up by other birds in the flock, quickly spreading disease.
Contaminated water is probably the most likely source of infection for chickens, turkeys, and songbirds. Waterborne parasites have been shown to survive at least 2 hours in open waterers. *
Nipple waters are extremely hygienic and effective in preventing microbiological contamination of clean water. Even if an ill bird drinks from one of the nipples, the water coming out of the nipple is clean and cannot be infected by a sick bird.
Nipple waterers eliminate dirty water that will lessen the spread of disease, such as MS (Mycoplasma synoviae), trichomonosis, and other respiratory diseases.
WHERE ARE THE COLUMBUS AQUA NIPPLES MADE?
The Columbus Aqua nipples are made in Denmark with premium, commercial-grade materials that are meant to last a lifetime.
HOW ARE THESE NIPPLES BETTER THAN THE ONES MADE IN CHINA?
Columbus Aqua is the original chicken nipple and has been making these nipples for over 25 years with the best materials available.
In 2017 the design was copied in China using cheap parts and are known for rusting, falling apart, or leaking.
I AM WORRIED THAT THE CHICKENS WON'T GET ENOUGH WATER FROM THE NIPPLES, ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS.
This is probably the most common concern we hear! I have personally used these nipples in ALL of by bird pens for the last 5 years, and our summers are well over 100+ degrees most days. I can assure you that the birds receive plenty of water from the nipples.
WON'T THE NIPPLES FREEZE IN THE WINTER?
Unlike traditional waterers, cups, or vertical nipples, horizontal nipples do not hold any water internally. Since they don't hold water, they can't freeze!
Do keep in mind that the water itself inside of the bucket (or PVC pipe) can of course still freeze, so be sure to add a submersible heater in the winter for easy, no maintenance winter water!