The Nature Trail Rabbit Info Newsletter

By Laurie Stroupe

I use an automatic watering system in my barn, supplemented by crocks. I love the system and I don't think I would consider raising rabbits without it. Watering rabbits is one of my least favorite activities. And letting my rabbits go without water is one of my greatest rabbit fears.

The automatic system was very easy to install. I have mine directly connected to my water line and use a pressure regulator, but you can also put a bucket on top of your cages and use gravity for pressure.

I use a 3/8" system, but you can also choose a 3/16" system.

I don't have to worry if I get up late or am away from home on a hot day that my bunnies will be without water. I don't have to wash water bottles (except travel water bottles). I love it. And I don't have to feel guilty about finding an empty water bottle or tipped over crock that my bunny has been without water.

The down side is that the system freezes sometimes in the winter. Last winter was harsh and it froze about 30 days. The previous winter, it only froze on about a dozen days. On those days, we whip out our crocks and continue on. By the way, we are in USDA zone 7A.

I keep meaning to get a recirculating system with heater to use during the winter, but so far, I haven't gotten around to it. I think it would be lovely to use the direct water line during the temperant periods of the year and the recirculating system during the cold months.

It would also be nice to have the recirculating system, whch uses a bucket above the cages, in case I ever wanted to medicate my whole barn. I use Safeguard for worming now, but I could use Wazine with a bucket-based system. Wazine is tremendously less expensive than Safeguard.

Besides freezing, founts also can go bad and drip, or rabbits can pull founts from their lines. It doesn't really make much difference on my gravel floors, but when I had a dirt floor, it really made a mess. Also, I had to punch holes into the totes that collect manure under my cages. Otherwise, they would occasionally fill to the brim with water from a malfunctioning fount.

I have to use crocks in my emergency overflow cages (I hope to rememdy that permanently after Convention with more regular cages). I prefer them to bottles. And, I use low crocks for young litters, high crocks for older litters. It's not absolutely necessary because I've seen 2 1/2 week old rabbits using the automatic water line, but I don't want six little bunnies waiting in line for a drink on a warm afternoon. (By the way, I use the low crocks with little ones so they don't drown.)

I also use crocks when I want to give my bunnies some probiotic, for example, when they've been stressed. Make sure you wash those crocks frequently. Probiotic makes the crock slimy in a hurry.

Crocks are easy to fill and easier to clean than water bottles. But they can be tipped over and are easily fouled by the rabbits themselves.

I also use water bottles in the barn for medicating a single bunny. I haven't had to use them much, but when I do, I can strap one on and take the water line off very easily.

Of course I use tiny water bottles for traveling. I'm trying to collect double the number of carrier holes I have to take the pressure off when I have two or more weekends back-to-back on the road.

Water bottles are more difficult to fill and clean, but the water stays cleaner. Water bottles can also malfunction and allow all of the water to drip out.

I wash my crocks and water bottles in the dishwasher. Then I run the dishwasher empty before going back to people dishes.

No matter which water system you use, keeping it clean is very important. Monitoring the system is a must. No water system works totally without snafus. And the goal of any watering system you choose is ultlimate a continuous supply of clean, fresh water.

© Copyright 2012 Rabbit Smarties Publishers. You received this email because you signed up for our newsletter at www.thenaturetrail.com.  If you would no longer like to receive these emails, please send an email with the subject line "unsubscribe" to admin@thenaturetrail.com.  This email may contain affiliate links.