I have recently bought my first rabbits and have stoneware bowls in their cages (bowls from my kitchen LOL). I need to check them at least twice a day to be sure they are full and not tipped over. Very soon I want to install either water bottles or a gravity fed system with lines going to each cage with a valve. What is the best *cheapest* and easiest/quickest (to fill every day) way to go? I'll probably have anywhere from 10-15 rabbits. They system I looked at is at Agselect.com. Here's the URL to the small animal watering systems: http://www.agselect.com/Search.bok/d8c8e03ce7a0b40891de?&category=Small+Animal+Watering&start=1&total=87&no=1280

I have a book called "Backyard Livestock" by Steven Thomas. He says you can epoxy one of these type valves to the bottom of a pop bottle and fasten it to the cage. Would that be better than installing a whole system? I want it to be quick and simple to keep fresh water all the time, so I suppose a whole system would be better than individual bottles. Did I just answer my own question?! I'd like input from people who actually keep rabbits because I'm just theorising, and know all too well that I get tripped up by my own logic.

Thanks in advance:o)

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), July 11, 2001

Answers

Elizabeth, I have raised rabbits for several years. I always used the pop bottle with a spout and ball bearing in the end of it. Always plenty of water never dirty, right? Not so the nipple can become clogged and without knowing I missed watering a couple of rabbits before I noticed that the same two still had full water bottles. Nobody died but they were real thirsty. We moved this fall and sold all our rabbits and supplies and now that we have re-established our rabbitry I am using crocks. This works better for me only use real crocks not butter dishes, tupperware, etc. as these tip over easily. I bought a about $500 worth of rabbit accessories for $140 15 crocks, 10 nesting boxes, 3-12 foot 4 compartment cages, 3 divided carrying cages as well as other acc. Watch for ads this ad came from a forum listing on our phone service. Everything looked real clean and I bleached everything real good before putting rabbits in. Always wait until cages are totally dry after bleaching before putting in rabbits. The automatic system you mentioned seems like it would be to costly to implement. Maybe if could come up with some kind of drip system that would save a lot. I don't know I always thought the auto system wouldn't save much time. When I water I use a plastic pitcher and drain each bowl each time I water once a week all bowls are replaced and come in for a good wash in hot sudsy water with a 3 drops bleach added to the wash water rinse well. I saw a rabbitry once with a tarp under the cages this was tight against the bottom of the cages at one end and gradulally became looser then it drained into a bucket at the end. This works for me I do have to use my shepard's crook to kinda push some of the manure down but it's much better than having it all under the cages and then having to shovel it away. I then carry the bucket to my compost pile or worms everyday. Hope this helps and isn't too wordy for you. We raise barbadoes sheep, nubian goats, rabbits, pigeons and border collies, with a few cats and chickens thrown in here and there. I have raised angora rabbits there is a market for angora wool and you can make some money at it but it requires a lot of wool management. But if you're raiseng rabbits for profit you might give it a look see. Linda in Indy

-- Linda in Indy (peacefulvalley3@yahoo.com), July 11, 2001.

Thanks Linda; I didn't know the nipple could get clogged. I should add that I plan to have crocks in with the rabbits also, but want a backup waterer because I spend one night a week away at my 90 year old grandmother's, so the rabbits would go 1 1/2 days without anyone to fill the crocks. I need to be sure they don't run out of water.

-- Elizabeth in E TX (kimprice@peoplescom.net), July 11, 2001.

Elizabeth- One of our local feed stores has an area out back where a woman sells small animals, poultry, etc. She has about 40 rabbit cages and she uses the Hart cup system, which I saw on the website for Agselect. Not sure if this is the system you were referring to or not, but I had a good look at it one day and asked the woman a lot of questions because I was thinking of installing the same system at my place. She said that it worked great, except that she occassionally has problems with leaks in the pvc pipe. I think that the leaks are caused either by water pressure problems or that joints in the pipe were not sealed properly during installation. It did not seem to me that the problem was with the system itself. I share your concern about having water available all the time, as I live in a very hot climate. Your idea of keeping a second source available as a backup is very smart and I will remeber that when I get my rabbits.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), July 11, 2001.

Hi! Currently I have 24 rabbits and plan to have more. I raise long-haired Angoras (plus some others that are "rescue rabbits" ) and in our heat it is REALLY IMPORTANT to make certain each rabbit has sufficient water ALWAYS available.

I have always used individual rabbit bottles. I buy them initially but if the plastic bottle cracks or something then I just replace it with a plastic soda bottle that will screw into the valve and nipple thing. Mine all have metal drinking spots with little metal balls in them.

I like to have individual bottles because I can see if someone is not drinking....a sure sign something is wrong. About once a week the bottles need to be brought in and discenfected...I wash mine in a mild solution of Clorox and make sure they are rinsed well...

When mine have to eat or drink out of bowls or crocks they tend to turn them over or get the water dirty. hope this helps!

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), July 11, 2001.

Hi; I have been using gravity fed valves (less than $2.00 each) for years. They are easy to use and very reliable.I check them everyday when feeding but never have a problem. I am not associated with 'Bass' equiptment but I buy alot of stuff from them.I is very high quality http://www.bassequipment.com/

-- ourfarm (ourfarm@nospam.com), July 11, 2001.

So what do y'all do in the winter? Other than the good ole down 'n dirty "bring in the frozen crocks and replace them with unfrozen crocks" trick...

-- Sojourner (notime4@summer.spam), July 11, 2001.

Hey Linda,

Howdy neighbor, we're south of Indy in Johnson County. I have rabbits also. How I hate winter and frozen rabbit bottles. Last winter I broke down and bought a spare set so I could keep one set thawing in the house for morning and evening waterings.

For watering in non freezing weather, I fill up a 5 gallon jug that has a spigot on it and have it on a counter to fill the water bottles in the barn. Less mess and shorter distance to juggle a dozen rabbit bottles every day. Less toll on your back also.

Sara in IN

-- Sara in IN (urthmomma@aol.com), July 11, 2001.

With college starting soon, there may be a 4-H'er in the area who is dispersing his rabbits and equipment. Your county extension agent will know who the rabbit leader is in the area and they will likely know who has equipment for sale. I have seen multi-cage on-demand watering systems in great condition sold for $25 and $50.

-- Laura Jensen (lrjensen@nwlink.com), July 12, 2001.

Elizabeth,

I use water bottles and have for years. I now have two sets. I use a 5 gallon bucket and carry full ones out to the rabbit barn and bring the empty ones back in. This also helps in winter because then I can change out the bottles twice a day - bringing the frozen ones back in to thaw.

Use the system that works for you. I have thought about an automatic syestem but then I'd have to figure out how to keep it from freezeing in the winter.

-- Tom S. (trdsshepard@yahoo.com), July 16, 2001.