Pig Watering Nipples...

I have installed a few hog waterers that utilize a bowl and float. I have also installed a few of the watering nipples.
Recently I have noticed that the watering nipples have started to leak, and then water is collecting in to puddles underneath them.
(It freezes most nights, if this has any bearing).

I am planning on removing them and looking for debris in the rubber sealing area as a possible cause, but I have manipulated them and moved them around and tried to free any debris and they still leaked.

Anyone use these nipple waterers? Any experience with why they can leak? Input is appreciated.

Thanks,

A

I've used those a lot over the past ten years and they do tend to leak after awhile due to debris build up. If you manipulate them they still leak, just because of the design and the way it catches stuff. They are easy to pull apart and get out whatever is blocking them. I built my feeder lines so they can be shut off, the nipple removed, cleaned up, new thread tape put on and put back in service if they start leaking. Makes it so I don't have to dump the water barrel. I think the seals need replaced every couple of years if you leave them out over the winter. I've taken to removing mine once the hogs are off to slaughter so that I don't get winter buildup in the pipe which gets in them. Do a good flush of the lines in the spring, install them, adjust the flow rate (some have a tensioning screw, others the metal toggle needs rotated) and make sure the pigs are happy again.

Not sure what effect freezing has on them, although I ran mine well into the fall/early winter this past year. Those were some tasty pigs at 308 (gilt) and 310 (boar) live weight.