Top 9 Best Chicken Nipple Waterers: Pros, Cons, DIY Guide

Chicken nipple waterers are the best for a low-cost, clean and hygienic poultry water system.

This nipple watering system for poultry is one of the most highly recommended waterers in the poultry industry. You can use chicken nipple waterers in both portable chicken coop and large-scale poultry farming.

Here is our guide on different types of chicken waterers.

In traditional chicken drinkers, you may have faced many problems like:

• Traditional drinkers need daily cleaning.
• Most of the time, water spills and falls on chicken bedding.
• They are not suitable for cold areas because the water becomes ice.

Here in this article, we will provide you a complete guide on the best chicken nipple waterers, their pros, cons, using the guide, and DIY ideas for making at home.

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

What is Chicken Nipple Waterers?

Chicken nipple waterers are advanced designed poultry watering systems that supply water in a drop by drop system. It is very affordable, keeps the water clean, and avoids wastage.

Common names of chicken nipple waterers are:

• Chicken nipples.
• Chicken water nipples.
• Automatic chicken nipple drinkers.
• Chicken nipple fountains.

Chicken nipples can be used in pipes, buckets, and bottles. Below, we have provided a complete installation guide and DIY ideas so that you can make your poultry watering system at home using chicken nipples.

Chickens peck on the chicken water nipples, and it dispenses a few drops of water. It works because of its spring, which opens when a poultry bird pecks on it. 

You can use a drip cup just below the water nipples to avoid the wastage of a single drop. Let’s understand the advantage of using chicken nipple waterers. The nipple drinker system works in the gravity feed system.

Also read our guide on best PVC pipe chicken coop and run.

Types of Chicken Nipple Waterers

Chicken nipples are mainly available in two types – 

• Horizontal nipples (Side mount)
• Vertical nipples

Horizontal chicken nipples are attached on the left or right side of PVC pipes and buckets when chicken peck on them from the side, and the dispenser releases water for their drinking.

The vertical chicken nipples are mainly installed vertically on the bottom part of the bucket and PVC fittings. In this, the baby chicks and chickens peck on the Nipple from the bottom, and water comes out. 

Pros

Below are some benefits of using chicken nipple waterers-

• It is the most affordable low-cost watering system in poultry.
• Chicken nipple waterers are best for both small and large-scale poultry businesses.
• Suitable for both chicks and adult chickens.
• You can fit it in different containers like buckets, drums, Tupperware, and PVC pipes.
• This chicken nipple system provides automatic watering for chickens continuously. You have to fill the main connected drum, or you can provide a direct water supply.
• Chicken water nipples are great water-saving waterers which do not allow wastage of a single drop of water.
• Watering nipples are also easily replaceable and easy to attach to the water supply. So, you do not need any technical person for this.
• One nipple waterer is best for 15-16 birds.
• Chicken nipple waterers are a long-lasting poultry drinker system. They work flawlessly for about 6-10 years if bought from a good brand.

Cons

Some significant problems with chicken nipple waterers are-

• Nipple waters have a common problem of leaking. So, you always need to check leaking nipples continuously.
• Leaking nipples cause wet litter inside coops which you may need to replace.
• Also, improper height adjustment of drinkers is essential. Because baby chicks need small height and large size chicken needs nipples in height. So, make adjustments as needed.
• Biofilm inside the pipes and nipples may cause leaky nipples, blockage, and other health problems in poultry flocks. You need to flush the water supply with clean water every time you use any supplement like vitamins, electrolytes, antibiotics, and antimicrobial agents.

Top 9 Best Chicken Nipple Waterers

Here is the list of 9 best chicken nipple waterers and nipples-

1. RentACoop 2 Gallon Chicken Waterer – Horizontal Nipple Setup

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This is a horizontal setup chicken nipple waterer by famous brand RentACoop. It contains a square plastic container with four nipples attached on its two sides.

The chicken nipples were side-mounted on the container. It contains a pyramidal top and a handle to move and hang the waterer.

This chicken nipple waterer can hold 2 gallons of water. It is suitable for 8-10 chickens if you fill water in every two days. 

The company has provided a cap on the lid to fill water. It is best for portable chicken coops.

2. RentACoop Make Your Own Waterer Kit – Horizontal Side Chicken Nipples + Installation Piece

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This is another RentACoop chicken nipples pack for doing some DIY at home. You can use these chicken nipples to make various types of waterers easily.

The company provides chicken nipples set of 5, 6, 10, 12, 20, 50, 100. It is best for two week old age chickens.

If you have old buckets, drums, and containers, then you can easily make a chicken drinker at home using this kit.

3. Cruzadel 12 Pack – PVC Tee Fittings for Threaded Poultry Nipples Chicken Waterer

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It is another most popular PVC kit used in making various types of chicken waterers. These tee fittings are suitable for different types of water dispensers.

You can use it to connect cups, horizontal nipples, and vertical nipples. The company is also providing a money-back guarantee.

4. Automatic Chicken Water Nipple by Livestocktool

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This is one of the best vertical chicken nipples available online. You can use them on drums, buckets, and plastic containers. 

In this pack, you will get 25 water dispensing nipples, but you can go for more if you have lots of poultry birds. You can make a long-lasting chicken nipple waterer for your flocks using this kit.

The Livestocktool brand sells this chicken nipple. It provides your bird’s clean drinking water. One Nipple is best for 3 to 4 birds.

5. Chicken Waterer, Nipple+Tee Waterer Kit for Poultry Automatic Poultry Drinking for Chicken

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This is a vertical chicken nipple waterer kit with T plastic fitting for connecting PVC pipes. It is beneficial for you to make your chicken nipple waterers at home.

This kit is just ready to fit and use. You have to connect PVC pipes and provide a water supply. If you need to change any sipple because of leakage, then you can also separate them. 

letsFix is also providing 24×7 customer support.

6. Love My Barnyard Backyard Chicken Poultry Waterer, Stainless 1.3 Gallon (5 Liter) Drinker

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you are a chicken lover, you will love this LoveMyBarnyard backyard chicken poultry waterer. 

This is one of the sturdy and unique chicken waterers with nipple fittings that I recommend for most small-scale chicken farmers.

The body of the container is made up of stainless steel, which makes it strong and long-lasting. In this design, the manufacturer provides four horizontal chicken nipples best for your 5-7 chickens hydration.

7. Farm Innovators HB-60P Heated Poultry Drinker with Drip-Free Side Mount Nipples, 2 Gal, Clear

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This is another one of the best chicken nipple waterers with a heating pad. It has a plug connected to the drinker to make this nipple chicken drinker work flawlessly in cold. Read our guide on keeping chicken coop warm in winters.

It holds 2 gallons of water which is suitable for 10-12 chickens. Three side mount (horizontal) chicken nipples are fitted in this design. The container is cylindrical in shape.

8. BAFX Products – 2 Gallon Chicken – Poultry Fowl Watering Bucket & Lid w/ 4 Nipples

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It is a bucket design with a 2-gallon water capacity. The vertical chicken nipples were attached to the bottom of the bucket.

It is best for 8-10 chickens. You have to hang this chicken watering system, and it needs height adjustment every 4-5 days according to the increase of flocks age.

9. RentACoop Chick Waterer 1Liter with Chicken Nipple Waterer System

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

It is another best chicken nipple waterer for baby chicks. This setup contains a 1ltr container with one side mount or horizontal chicken nipple.

RentACoop Chick Waterer is best for 5-10 baby chicks. You can attach this drinker in the kennel run area or inside coop corners. It has a top lid for filling water in it.

This also contains attachment wire brackets to attach them on coop hardware cloth or chicken wire. It is also best for your chicken tractor.

Chicken Nipple Waterers Installation Guide with DIY Ideas

Now it’s time to do some DIY to make the best chicken nipple waterers at home. You can make different types of poultry waterers using chicken nipples.

It’s up to your creativity, and you can do whatever you want. Below we have provided few DIY ideas to do with chicken nipples.

You can use any bucket or container with a lid. It is essential because it keeps water uncontaminated and safe from falling.

On buckets, you can use both types of chicken nipples – horizontal (side mount) and vertical. You have to buy four chicken nipples from your local store or online. 

List of best chicken nipples both horizontal and vertical – 

Last update on 2024-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

DIY Steps for Making Chicken Nipple Waterers Using Side Mount or Horizontal Nipples

1. First of all, you need to make holes on the sides of the bucket because we are using side mount nipples.
2. Always remember to make holes above 1-1.5″ from the bottom of the bucket or container.
3. Use a drill machine to make holes. The recommended size of the drill bit sizes is 11/32″ or ⅜.”
4. Also, make 1-2 small-sized holes using a drill on the lid of the container to prevent vacuum forming.
5. For every 6-8 chickens, install one Nipple.
6. You will also get a nipple screwing tool with the below chicken nipples kit so that you can easily screw the Nipple on the bucket body.
7. Use seal tape during screwing the Nipple because it will prevent leakage.
8. That all your chicken nipple waterer is ready to fill water.
9. Now fill fresh water and check any leakage. 
10. If everything is ok, then put the drinker inside the chicken coop.

Here is the video guide for the easy installation of side mount chicken nipples.

DIY Steps for Making Poultry Waterers Using a Mineral Water Bottle and Vertical Nipple

You can do lots of stuff with vertical chicken nipples. Let’s first make a chicken nipple waterer using mineral water bottles.

1. First, collect one mineral water bottle with a cap.
2. Then make a hole on the bottle cap using a drill. Use drill bit size 11/32″ or ⅜.”
3. Now take the vertical Nipple and put it on the hole, and screw it tight.
4. Now fill water in the bottle and hang it inside your coop.

DIY Steps for Making Poultry Waterers Using Bucket and Vertical Nipples

Here is the step by step guide to attach vertical chicken nipples in the bottom part of the bucket or container-

1. First, take a bucket with a rounded bottom.
2. Then make four holes on the bottom side of the bucket with drill bit size 11/32″ or ⅜.”
3. Keep the measurement of the holes from bottom corners to about 1.25-1.5″.
4. Now insert the vertical nipples and screw them tightly.
5. Then fill water. Your chicken nipple waterer is ready to hydrate your birds.

Summary with Editors Choice

Now you can quickly build your chicken nipple waterers at home using the above DIY ideas. We have also provided information to understand how many chicken nipples your chicken needs? 

If you have no time to build, you can go with the 2 or 5 gallons RentACoop Chicken Nipple Waterer. For baby chicks, we recommend you RentACoop Chick Waterer 1Liter.

Most chicken lovers try to make their chicken nipple waterers at home. So, if you want to make it, go through our guide and videos.

I hope this guide on chicken nipples helped you in caring for your backyard flocks. Must share your experiences below.