Does anyone have an idea how to keep water bottles from freezing? We have 15 rabbits and there water bottles have to be brought in and thawed twice a day in hot water and then lugged back to the barn. My husband & I wondered if we wrapped some kind of insulating material around the bottles that it might help, but we are unsure of what kind would be best. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

-- Stacie (Radiclmom@aol.com), January 16, 2000

Answers

Stacie,

It's been a while since I raised my rabbits, however, I would think that your rabbits would chew anything within their reach. If their cages are set up inside the barn, you may want to consider an automatic watering system that would keep the water circulating. I was about to install one for summer use as I lost a rabbit to exreem heat.

Diane

-- diane legge (dlegge@ttlc.net), January 17, 2000.

I agree anything with in reach on the waters will be toast, what might work would be to have a second set of bottles. Then when you go out you bring with you pre filled bottles [you can put name or # on them so they dont get switched betwin rabbits] out and bring other set in for tomorrow. If you have lickit heads you could bring out soda bottles[plastic] and just switch heads.

-- kathy h (saddlebronc@msn.com), January 17, 2000.

We live in middle Tn and use the 2 liter drink bottles with the lickit tops. The big bottles don't freeze except at night and then only the tops freeze. If a long extension cord is possible you can take a hair dryer on high and defrost the tops pretty quick.

-- Peggy Carr (wclpc@cookeville.com), January 17, 2000.

When we bred rabbitts for butchering we used small water dishes instead of bottles. They hook to the side of the cage. A pail of warm to hot water brought out at chore time to stick them in makes quick work of ice and lets the rabbits have warm water instead of cold. In the middle of a Minnesota winter, every bit of warmth they get helps them live better.

-- Patti Morris (pmorris@ecenet.com), January 18, 2000.

Hi Stacie,

I have found that small rubber bowls work real well for me. When they freeze, just turn them upside down and either step on them or wack them with a hammer. For some reason, the rabbits don't like to chew the rubber.

Good Luck

-- D Tur (gdgtur@goes.com), May 26, 2000.