Introducing a nipple waterer for your backyard chickens that's ready to fill, hang, and use.
Poop-free water. Less waste. Less work.
Like most backyard chicken keepers, we started out with a standard galvanized gravity waterer. Problem is, dirt and poop get kicked up into the open saucer. Things can get pretty nasty, pretty quickly.
On the advice of a customer, we switched to a nipple waterer, and we haven't looked back. Instead of refreshing our chickens' water every day, we do so about once a week.
The water that goes in is the water that comes out, right into your chickens' mouths. So it lasts longer, saving you on trips to clean/change it out.
Order your complete nipple waterer here. (For nipples only, click here.)
Simply choose a size and a hook type, then click "Add To Cart" to begin your purchase. You can adjust quantities in the cart and pay securely with PayPal or credit card.
(PayPal account is not required. During checkout, look for the "Don't have a PayPal account?" link.)
Nipple Waterer
3.5 Gallon, Black
$35.00 USD
Nipple Waterer
1 Gallon, Black
$25.00 USD
Nipple waterers are currently available in the U.S. only. See our return policy below.
Limit 6 waterers per order. If your order exceeds our current inventory, quantities will automatically adjust in your cart. Feel free to email us about availability.
To add one or both of our chicken coop plans, first order the waterer on this page, then click here, add plans to cart, and proceed to checkout.
DELIVERY TIME: Waterers ship via USPS Parcel Post. Please allow 1-2 days for processing and 2-9 days for delivery.
This is NOT A KIT. Your chicken waterer arrives fully assembled and ready to use. Eva shows you everything in the video below, or you can read on for the details:
» Food-grade, FDA-approved plastic pail.
The buckets we use are made from certified food-grade black HDPE plastic with strong metal handles for hanging. (See Questions below for why they're black.)
» Durable stainless-steel nipples.
These push-in style nipples have a stainless-steel mechanism within a hard-plastic outer casing. They're fitted into the bucket with a silicone grommet for a tight, long-lasting seal. The 1-gallon bucket has two nipples pre-installed. The 3.5-gallon pail has three. Each nipple is adequate for around 10-15 chickens, so your birds can keep themselves well hydrated.
» Recloseable lid.
The easy-to-remove lid protects the water from being soiled while hanging in your coop or chicken yard.
Ceiling hooks (above) let you attach your waterer beneath the henhouse.
Wall-mount hooks (below) attach to a vertical surface. Click images to enlarge.
» Changing base.
Because the nipples extend from the bottom of the bucket, you need a base to set it on when changing the water. We include a wood block with your waterer for this purpose. You could also use a brick, cinder block, flower pot, or anything that elevates the bucket an inch or more off the ground.
» Hooks, if you need 'em.
When you order your nipple waterer, specify whether you want a pair of hooks and which type. Ceiling hooks attach beneath a structure, screwing directly into the wood. Wall-mount hooks attach to the face of a wall and come with four 3/4" screws for attaching.
» Instruction sheet.
Not that it's hard to figure out, but we include basic instructions and tips so that you can be sure you're doing it right. We also include information on how to return/exchange the product should it arrive damaged.
Poultry nipples are a simple device used extensively in commercial poultry operations. When a chicken pecks at the metal pin from any direction, this opens the flow of water enough for a few drop to trickle out, right into its mouth. There's less waste and no evaporation, which means more water for your flock.
Will my chickens learn to drink from the nipples?
Most chickens figure it out on their own within minutes. Chickens will peck at anything, and the red pastic casing especially draws their attention. Once they notice that water flows from the nipples, they're trained.
Which size waterer is right for my flock?
The 1-gallon size is intended for four chickens or less, particularly if they're housed in a small coop or mobile tractor like The Garden Ark. The 3.5-gallon size is good for four to twenty chickens and larger coops like The Garden Coop. Obviously, the more chickens you have drinking from one container, the more frequently you'll have to refill it. And if you're in a hotter, drier climate, factor that in as well.
Can I Make My Own Nipple Waterer?
Yes! It's not difficult to make a nipple waterer, and there are several tutorials online. The trick is gathering the right bucket, lid, nipples, drill bits, hooks, and so on to put together what you want. (You might also want to buy a spare bucket in case you make a mistake on the drilling.) Add up the costs for materials and shipping on mail order items to see if it's worth it for you.
Or buy one of our ready-to-use waterers. We've streamlined the process by buying the parts in bulk and assembling it all for you!
If you decide to go the DIY route, we also sell the poultry nipples separately. Scroll down to order.
Where should I hang my waterer?
You can hang it from above or from a post or wall. You'll want to hang it out of full sun. Partial sun should be fine, but keep an eye on the temperature of the water from time to time. A bungee cord, chain, or rope is useful for adjusting the height as needed. You can also opt to set your waterer on a base instead. For your convenience, we offer two types of hooks that we can ship with your order.
Though they can work in any coop or run, the 3.5-gallon waterer hangs perfectly beneath the henhouse on The Garden Coop. The 1-gallon waterer is designed to hang from the wall between the henhouse and run on The Garden Ark for the best clearance.
How high should I hang my nipple waterer?
Hang it so that the nipples are just above your chickens' heads. If you can't get it quite that high, a little lower will be fine. Chickens have to raise their necks to swallow. One of the nice things about this kind of waterer is that you can position the water above their heads, so it trickles right into their mouths when they drink.
Do I have to hang my waterer, or can I set it on top of something?
You do not have to hang your waterer. In fact, the nipples on the 3.5-gallon waterer are positioned so that you can rest it on a 8" x 16" cinder block, if you'd prefer. You could also devise a raised platform for the 1-gallon waterer.
How heavy will my chicken waterer be when full?
Empty, the 3.5-gallon waterer weighs just under 2 pounds. Water weighs roughly 8 lbs. per gallon, so if you fill the container to capacity, you're looking at about 32 pounds. Keep in mind, if you are moving the waterer, you should not fill it beyond the point where you can comfortably lift and carry it.
The 1-gallon water weighs under a pound empty. So full it will weigh about 9 pounds.
The hooks we include are more than strong enough to carry the weight when properly secured to a suitable support surface. The ceiling hooks are rated to hold up to 50 pounds each (100 lbs. for the pair). The wall-mount hooks are rated to hold 100 pounds each (200 lbs. for the pair).
I'm ordering multiple waterers and would like two different hook types, fewer pairs of hooks than waterers, etc.
That's fine. Choose the first waterer size and its hook type, then hit "Add to Cart." Return to the order page and choose the next waterer and hook type (or "No hooks needed"), then adjust final quantities within your shopping cart. Email if you have any questions.
Why did you choose black buckets for making the waterers?
The buckets we use are made of FDA-approved, food-grade HDPE (High Density Polyethylene). This is a versatile plastic with a variety of applications, and it's one of the few plastics that can be fully recycled.
Normally, HDPE has only fair UV resistance and will become brittle with extensive outdoor use. But with the black pigment added, the UV resistance of the material is greatly enhanced.
The black color also inhibits algae growth on the inside of the bucket, looks nicer (less noticeable) inside your coop, and serves as a good reminder to keep your waterer in the shade, where it belongs.
CAUTION: If you're going the DIY route, be aware that some black HDPE plastic is not food grade. Check with your particular supplier to be absolutely sure before you buy.
Are there other colors available?
No, not at this time.
What are the dimensions of the waterers?
The 3.5-gallon waterer measures 17.5" from the top of the fully extended handle to bottom of the nipples. The bucket, with closed lid, measures 11" from top to bottom and has a diameter of 12".
The 1-gallon waterer measures 12" from the top of the fully extended handle to the bottom of the nipples. The bucket, with closed lid, measures 7.5" from top to bottom and has a diameter of 8".
How do I keep the water from freezing during the winter months?
This is an issue with any type of unheated waterer, unfortunately. Our best advice is to: 1) Fill your waterer with warm water. The thing you often hear about warm water freezing faster than cold water is baloney, by the way. 2) Bring the waterer inside your home on freezing nights and back out in the morning. 3) Have multiple waterers so that you can alternate should one freeze.
One advantage of this style of waterer is that, since water freezes at the top of the container first, the nipples being at the bottom will buy you some extra time between changes.
Do I have to hook the waterer up to a hose or pressure regulator?
There are nipple watering systems that work like that, but ours is gravity fed. So there are no hoses to hook up, and no water pressure changes to deal with. Just rinse out and refill the bucket when it's near empty.
What is your return policy?
Please open and inspect your items right away! In the event that your item arrives damaged, you must let us know by email within three (3) business days of receipt. Attach a photo to your email clearly showing the extent of the damage and how it renders the item unusable. We will either replace the damaged part or the entire item or issue you a full refund.
If you are simply not satisfied with your item, you may return it to us in new condition within 30 days of purchase for a refund of the purchase price (shipping costs are not refundable). You are responsible for return shipping costs. Email us first to let us know that you would like to make a return, and we'll send you further instructions. We'll issue your refund once we've received your item.
Do you sell the nipples, buckets, lids, and hooks separately?
We only sell the poultry nipples separately (in packs of 5). See below.
How long does it take for delivery?
We ship our waterers via USPS Parcel Post. Please allow 1-2 days for processing and 2-9 days for delivery. Poultry nipples ship USPS First Class or Priority Mail (estimate 2-3 days for either method).
Do you ship outside of the U.S.?
Currently we are set up to ship within the U.S. only. This may change in the future. Our chicken coop plans, on the other hand, may be purchased internationally.
These are the same push-in style nipples we use to make our waterers, sold separately in packs of five. They are made of quality stainless steel parts inside a durable, hard, red plastic casing, and they're sealed with a long-lasting silicone grommet. Made in China.
Use a 3/8" drill bit to make a hole in your tubing or container. Insert the grommet first, then the nipple. Moistening it may help it go in easier. If you are going to seal your container, be sure to create a separate hole near the top (above the water line) so that air can enter as the water goes out.
To order multiple packs, adjust quantities in the cart.
Currently available in the U.S. only. See our return policy above.
If your order exceeds our current inventory, quantities will automatically adjust in your cart. Feel free to email us about availability.
To add one or both of our chicken coop plans, first order the items you need on this page, then click here, add plans to cart, and proceed to checkout.
DELIVERY TIME: Poultry nipples ship via USPS First Class or Priority Mail (select preferred service in cart). Please allow 2 days for processing and 2-3 days for delivery.
