I am not familiar with anyone who has used nipple waterers for baby calves. I am not sure if the nipple (swine waterer) would be sized properly for calves to feed off.
Eventually you want that calf to learn to drink from bucket or container, but as long as they get enough water it should work. I would be more afraid of the mess in the pens, they like to play and may waste more water than consume. At least with a bucket, you can better monitor the water consumption.
Dave Fischer, U of I Extension Dairy Educator - Illini DairyNET
J.W. Schroeder, NDSU Dairy Extension
