Debby Tutton Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Can anyone advise ? On the first evening we spent nearly 2 hours (on and off) trying to get my 4 girls to use the ladder and not to freak out by Chato Tango (aka the new orange cube) but we eventually got them settled. We purchased it as we had tripple decker hens trying to lay at the same time in our Eglu Mk2 but now, although we have an area for laying large enough for 3 hens, one sits in and won't let the others in. I have now removed the perching /nesting barier and I am hoping this will help. Our problem is this though ... We can't get any of them to use the "nipple glug". Can anyone provide any suggestions (other than going down on my hands and knees and demonstrating) ? Currently we have an old washing up bowl full of water which they use but they don't seem to understand the logic of the nipple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmurfingDude Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 They will soon workout how to use it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Mine hate the glug so I have lowered it so that they can drink from the top. I just have to make sure the nipples don't touch the ground though as the water drips and drains out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patricia W Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Mine were thick too, so I did what Chucky Mama has done- lowered it and they drink from the top Tricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Get a stick (or the door pin!), poke it through the bars and press against the nipples until water comes out. You may need to be patient, as they may take a while to investigate, but once you have done this a few times, at least one hen will notice it and start drinking. She might prefer to poke her beak in the wet ground to begin with, but after a few times one at least will work out that water comes out of the nipple, and as soon as one has done it, the others will follow. It took a few goes with mine - having said that, now I have a WIR I have borrowed a big galvanised drinker and don't use the Glug. I liked the fact that I could refill the Glug from outside the cube run, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grageomat Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Mine hate the glug so I have lowered it so that they can drink from the top. I just have to make sure the nipples don't touch the ground though as the water drips and drains out. Done exactly the same! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnandkymberley Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Hi yes we keep it low enough for them to drink out the top but high enough to use the nipple part, good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted July 29, 2010 Share Posted July 29, 2010 Can't give any more advice than given but hope you sort it out soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavysqueak Posted July 30, 2010 Share Posted July 30, 2010 The advice you've been given sounds good. We have a really inquisitive hen who worked out the ladder and the nipples without us showing her. So I would say it's about getting their attention. So show them - they should get the point, eventually! Good luck XxX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Debby Tutton Posted July 30, 2010 Author Share Posted July 30, 2010 Thanks everyone. I will have a go at showing them by prodding the nipples but my hens are very dim so I will probably give up before I can get them to notice. Last resort - lower the glug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
