One of the most important things that your backyard flock needs to always have access to is clean water. You need to water your chickens all year long. The liquid is vital in helping your hens with crucial bodily functions like regulating their temperatures, digesting food, and eliminating waste.
Even a few hours without access to fresh water could cause your birds’ egg-laying rates to decline and their health to falter.
With water being so critical to the productivity and well-being of your hens, you must provide it to them in the best possible way. The last thing you need is an unreliable system that quickly becomes dirty or needs constant filling.
Because of this, this article will show you our favorite way to water your chickens all year long. We’ll tell you which system is best for ensuring your hens are always able to drink fresh, clean water and stay in tip-top shape.
But first, let’s discuss all the reasons why your chickens must have access to this life-giving liquid.
Raising backyard chickens is a rewarding experience. Watching cute little chicks grow into egg-laying hens brings joy to many chicken owners. However keeping chickens healthy requires paying close attention to their food and water needs. Providing clean, accessible water is crucial for your flock’s health and productivity.
Water nipples are a convenient way to water your chickens automatically, but it’s important to get the right height for their age. Water nipples that are too high or too low can cause problems, so how high should they be?
Why Nipple Height Matters
Chicken water nipples dispense water when pressed by a chicken’s beak. They eliminate the need for traditional waterers that can get dirty and breed bacteria. But for nipples to work properly they must be at an optimal height for your chickens.
If nipples are too low, chickens have to bend over or crouch too far to get to them. This can cause messy dripping and wet bedding. It may deter chickens from drinking enough.
On the other hand, chickens may find it hard to use nipples that are placed too high. This results in inadequate water consumption. Chickens that aren’t as tall might not be able to reach high nipples at all.
By setting nipple height correctly as your flock ages, you ensure all chickens can drink comfortably. This encourages plentiful water intake for health.
Nipple Height Guidelines By Age
Nipple height should be adjusted as chicks grow into mature hens. Here are some general guidelines for proper nipple placement at different growth stages:
-
For chicks that are just hatched (1–5 days old), the nipples should be at eye level. At hatch, they should be about 4 inches off the ground, and by day 5, they should be 6 inches.
-
Chicks (5 days – 4 weeks) – From day 5 to 4 weeks, nipples should be positioned just above eye level, raising the line 1-2 inches as chicks grow. Aim for around 7 inches high at 5 days old up to 13 inches by 4 weeks.
-
Pullets/Cockerels (4 – 18 weeks) – From weeks 4 to 18, continue to elevate nipples above the head. Increase height weekly so birds have to stretch slightly to drink. Get to at least 16-18 inches high.
-
Adult Hens – For fully grown hens, nipples should be 18-24 inches off the floor. This encourages natural upright drinking posture. Adjust so heavier breeds reach nipples easily.
These are general guidelines. Monitor your flock and tweak nipple height as needed for their comfort. Be ready to make adjustments for chicks growing at different rates.
Nipple Placement Tips
Beyond proper height, nipple placement in the coop matters too. Here are some best practices:
-
Install nipples along a side wall, not right under perches. This prevents water from dripping on chickens below.
-
Position nipple lines over litter or dirt areas. Avoid placing over feeders or nest boxes where leaks could cause issues.
-
For long lines, put nipples on both sides of the coop so chickens don’t have to walk far to drink.
-
Angle nipple lines slightly downward so water drips back into the line, not on the floor.
-
Use sturdy materials like PVC pipe or wood to mount nipples. This prevents sagging issues over time.
-
Make nipple lines adjustable if possible, allowing height changes as chicks mature.
Proper placement makes it easier to provide clean, accessible water for optimal flock health.
Water Supply Setups
Nipples connect to plastic tubing that brings water from a reservoir. You have options for configuring the supply:
-
5-15 gallon buckets – Drill a small hole near the base and insert tubing to create a gravity-flow system. Easy to adjust height.
-
Large reservoir tank – A 30-50 gallon tank can supply multiple coops via underground PVC lines. Needs pressure regulator.
-
Automatic refill – Use a float valve to connect nipples to a hose or plumbing line for continuous water.
-
Heated systems – Insulate and heat supply lines and tanks to prevent freezing in winter.
Choose a system that fits your scale and budget. Just ensure adequate water flow and storage capacity for your flock size.
Adjusting Nipple Height
It’s easy to modify nipple height as your flock grows:
-
For buckets, adjust tubing length or set the bucket on blocks to raise it.
-
Attach PVC or wood mounts to coop walls using adjustable brackets.
-
Hang nipple lines from ropes, chains, or pulleys with adjustable length.
-
Use PVC extensions, couplings, and risers to raise in-ground water lines.
-
Build platforms or stairs under lower nipples to lift smaller chickens up.
Get creative – anything that elevates lines works! Just check height weekly and make tweaks to accommodate growth.
Choosing Appropriate Nipples
Chicken water nipples come in various flow rates and sensitivity levels. Select nipples suited to your flock:
-
Opt for low-flow nipples (25 ml/min or less) for younger chickens. Slow flow reduces wasting water.
-
Go with high-flow nipples (100 ml/min or more) for large flocks to meet demand.
-
Pick high-sensitivity nipples for lightweight bantams. Makes it easier for them to trigger water release.
-
Get stainless steel nipples for durability and cold weather use. Plastic can crack over time.
Investing in quality nipples designed for chicken use ensures a properly functioning watering system.
Monitoring Water Intake
It’s important to monitor nipple use and water intake in your flock. Thirsty behaviors like pecking at empty waterers signal a problem.
Check for issues like:
-
Nipples set too high or low for comfort.
-
Debris clogging nipples so no water dispenses.
-
Leaks causing insufficient water flow.
-
Sick chickens unwilling to drink.
-
Increased demand in hot weather.
Adjust nipple placement and clean/repair parts as needed until water intake normalizes. Don’t let access issues go unaddressed.
Proper Nipple Height Is Key
Following recommended nipple height guidelines as your chickens grow is crucial. Adjusting placement ensures chickens stay well-hydrated by making clean water easily reachable. This promotes flock health and a bountiful egg supply! Monitor nipple use routinely and tweak height as chickens mature or if you notice drinking issues. With a dialed-in watering system, you can enjoy raising robust backyard chickens.
Why Water Is So Important for Chickens
Not only does water determine the overall health of your flock, but it also has a large impact on egg production and growth.
One of the biggest roles that water plays in the lives of your chickens is in digestion, which begins as soon as a bird picks up a bit of food. Saliva, which is mainly composed of water, lubricates the food and helps it pass into the crop.
Once there, water softens the food, making digestion more effective and preventing any clumps from forming that may harm the hen.
Chickens also need water for thermoregulation. Because these animals have no sweat glands, they have to rely on panting. This action causes the water in their mouths to evaporate and effectively cools their bodies down.
It’s important for the birds to be able to drink enough water to keep from getting heat stress, which can be fatal.
As for laying, an egg consists of approximately 75% water, and without regular access to a clean supply of the liquid, hens are physically unable to produce eggs. A bird laying 2-ounce eggs requires 1. 5 ounces of water to produce each one.
The Downside of Using Nipple Watering Systems
The only downside to using a nipple waterer is that the system can present a learning curve for your birds. Chickens may need some time to adapt to the drinker, especially if they are used to simper watering systems.
At first, it might be hard for your hens to find and use the nipples, which could make them drink less water or get stressed.
However, there is a way to train your birds to use this system to minimize their difficulties and ensure they drink enough water each day.
DIY Automatic CHICKEN NIPPLE WATERER | Two Minute Tuesday
FAQ
How high should chicken waterers be off the ground?
Your breeds should be taken into account when setting up the waterer. A trough or hanging waterer should be about chicken shoulder height, and a cup or nipple system should be at head height. Oct 11, 2022.
How high should water be for chicken?
The waterer should be the right size for the age and size of your flock. Chicks shouldn’t be able to spill the water too quickly, and the container shouldn’t be easy for them to knock over. The basin should be high enough to keep the water level between a chick’s eye and the height of its back. This way, a chick drinks more and spills less.
Where to place a chicken waterer?
The best place for your feeder and waterer is where your chickens spend the most time during the day. Keep them off the ground to avoid dirt and other things getting on them, but make sure they’re still low enough for all the chickens to get to them easily.