FAQs: Lubing Drinker Cups
We get a lot of questions from New Zealand backyard chicken keepers regarding Chicken Drinkers, Lubing Cups, and drinking nipples. Here are the answers to the top 10 most frequently asked questions about Lubing Drinker Cups.
At Dine-A-Chook, we specialise in giving New Zealand backyard poultry keepers the opportunity to purchase the very best. That's why we only carry the parts used by professionals in the chicken and poultry industry. For this reason, we sell the German Lubing brand of chicken Lubing Cups. All Dine-A-Chook Chicken Waterers and drinkers are fitted exclusively with Lubing Drinker Cups or Lubing Nipples.
1. What Is a Lubing Drinker Cup?
Lubing Drinker Cups are a water-delivery system. They are specially designed cups with a valve float. When pressed by the bird, water from the chicken drinker enters the Lubing Cup. These cups are specifically designed for poultry hydration. The float valve prevents spillage by providing water on demand. Most birds use it without any training. Lubing Drinker Cups are designed to avoid contamination of drinking water, prevent wet litter, and may also help deter pests such as rodents.
The bonus of purchasing a Dine-A-Chook Chicken Waterer is that the float valve has been upgraded by Dine-A-Chook to allow more water to be released and make it easier for chickens to press. Check out our Chicken Drinkers to see our range.
2. Why Use Lubing Cups?
Lubing Germany is the global leader in hydration systems for poultry farmers and breeders. Their professional-standard drinker cups are made for long-term and high-volume use.
As poultry feeder and drinker manufacturers, we experimented with a range of drinker outlets. After testing, we confidently say that the drip-free outlet and contamination-minimising design make Lubing the number one choice. It’s perfect for professional and backyard chicken keepers alike. Lubing Cups are engineered and manufactured in Germany to the highest standards.
3. What Is the Difference Between Lubing Cups and Lubing Nipples?
The two most common forms of water delivery for poultry are drinking cups and nipples. Both are highly effective ways to prevent water spillage and contamination. Drinker Cups hold a small amount of water that birds drink by inserting their beaks and pressing the float valve. Many backyard chicken keepers prefer this more "natural" delivery system.
Nipples, on the other hand, have bearing tips that release water when pressed. They are the number one choice in large-scale operations and require less regular cleaning. Nipple drinkers are also suitable for waterfowl like ducks, as they prevent water splashing, which can cause mess in the pen.
However, if you use a Nipple Drinker with ducks, you should provide a wet location where they can fully immerse their head and beak, such as a pond or a bucket of water. Try to keep this wet area away from feed.
4. Can Ducks Use Lubing Cups?
Ducks will happily use drinker cups. However, they may dirty the cup water more than chickens do. For this reason, some customers prefer Dine-A-Chook Nipple Drinkers.
5. What Types of Birds Can Use Drinking Cups?
Drinker Cups can be used with backyard poultry and many aviary birds. Customers have reported success with chickens, bantams, turkeys, guinea fowl, peacocks, ducks, and other waterfowl.
6. Do Lubing Drinker Cups Leak?
Lubing Drinker Cups are made to be leak and drip-free. If a drinker begins to leak, it may be caused by calcification of the valve in the cup. The build-up of sediment is inevitable over time. To stop the leak, follow the maintenance instructions in Section 10 below.
7. What Is the Dine-A-Chook Float Upgrade?
Our Dine-A-Chook engineers experimented with conventional Lubing Cups and found a flaw. After redesigning and moulding, we developed a patented Dine-A-Chook float for Lubing Drinker Cups. This float allows more water into the cup, meaning higher resting water levels. Our customers prefer this, and so do their feathered friends!
8. How Many Lubing Cups Do I Need?
To ensure adequate access to water, we recommend making one Drinker Cup available for every six chickens. For automatic chicken waterers, you may be able to have one Lubing Cup per eight birds.
9. How Do I Clean My Lubing Drinker Cups?
Keeping your Lubing Drinker Cups clean is easy. Just hose them out when topping up the Dine-A-Chook Chicken Drinker. This is enough to keep the cup clean. We also recommend giving them a deep clean every few months to ensure they keep working in the long run. With minimal maintenance, these chicken drinking cups will continue to perform well for years.
10. How Do I Maintain My Lubing Drinker Cups? Instructions for a Deep Clean
To maintain your Drinker Cups, we recommend a deep clean every few months. To do this, remove the nipple valve and wash in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and reassemble. Ensure you clip the valve back in correctly and spin it gently with two fingers to ensure it is moving freely.
If you wish to fully service your Drinking Cup, you can disassemble it completely, then follow the cleaning instructions. When reassembling the cup, make sure the lugs align when reattaching the red cup to the main yellow body. Also, ensure that the top stainless steel valve is clipped back into place.
We have a detailed guide for cleaning lubing cups on our Australian site.
If you have any issues with cleaning or reassembling your Drinker Cup, get in touch—we’re happy to help!
For more tips on backyard chicken keeping, visit our Chook School for free information articles.