What to Do About Your Rabbits Water Bottles Freezing - The SR Rabbit Update 1-2-18

[@yellowrunner1285]

Everyone complaining about them being in cages probably has no problem ordering chicken nuggets or cheeseburgers at a restaurant. This rabbit looks extremely healthy and happy.. Great video! Thanks for the tips!

[@Slightlyrednecked]

Thank you for watching. I am glad you liked it.

[@elf3111]

I too switch to water bowls in the winter. Have been raising rabbits for about 10 yrs now, both for meat and show. I've found that the large cans that canned chicken and other meats come in work great for inexpensive rabbit feed and water bowls. If they get rusty or bent they are easily replaceable. Plus if the water freezes solid in them they won't break, you can just smack them a few times on a post to break any ice in them when refilling. The rabbits also will have ice to lick and chew on between watering times to stay hydrated if they choose and if the temps raise above freezing during the day the ice melts. I've done the switching bottles but if you have a large number of rabbits it gets a bit nuts having spares for each hutch and dragging a ton of bottles inside to thaw twice a day. I've had some break from being frozen and it gets kind of costly replacing them. If someone only has a few rabbits it might be more freezable to do it that way. I personally do not raise litters in the winter months, I only keep my breeding stock. The does get time off to use their energy to keep warm. I have raised litters in the past in early winter and didn't feel like it was worth loosing kits to cold.

[@Slightlyrednecked]

interesting. I have never lost kits to cold and it gets pretty cold here but it doesn't tend to stay cold for weeks on end so that may be the difference.

[@amytaylor3505]

I found that a heated dog bowl worked well for us last winter. The cord on it is partly reinforced with metal so the part that extends inside the hutch is chew-proof. I can't always guarantee that I will get to my bunny twice a day so the heater gives me a little extra insurance.

[@Slightlyrednecked]

That sounds like a good alternative.

[@jrobs100]

My wife and I live on a farm. We have 30 rabbits at this time. Each have its own cage unit (so individual watering bottles for each cage totaling 30). We have spent years trying to solve the winter water issue. We have concluded with roughly the same answer. Frequent water changes. I hate having to unclip all the cage doors to drop water in so I prefer to fill my bottles just enough for them to about drink it empty. That way I have less to thaw out when refilling. We just drop the water bottles in a sink of hot water and let sit until time to fill. I fill the bottles with warm/hot water to give them a few extra minutes to drink (obviously make sure its not too hot to drink but giving them warm water to drink during the winter is ok). We know they dont get enough water through this method alone (perhaps they get enough to stay alive but not fully comfortable) so we add in lots of leafy greens during the winter to help give them more water intake. No way to chain up 30 individual heated water bottles. Continuous water flow is the best chance we have if we can figure out how to keep the drink spouts from freezing closed.

[@Zawfee]

Warm water will freeze faster than cold water in the winter. It doesn't make sense but it's true.

[@jrobs100]

@@Zawfee Thanks for making me refresh my chemistry haha. But what you are referring to is the mpemba effect and lots of things factor in when trying to recreate it. But these closed steel tip bottles 100% give us more time in the cold when they are filled with hot tap water.

[@heikkiparviainen6084]

@@jrobs100 Funny how eager people can get to spout some one elses science. I have tried it too but the cold water freeze before the warm water gets cold. I am using the hot water trick but the plastic shrinks where there was air. guess the water was too hot. Im planning on installing a recirculating system with a heater. Just got to figure out how to have the steel nipple attach directly to a brass T so the heat will transfer to the nipple.

[@jrobs100]

@@heikkiparviainen6084 I'm working on a 30 rabbit cage watering system with the same general idea. 70 gallon drum thats heated with water that will run continuously on a pvc circuit with brass nipples. I will use two separate circuits between 15 rabbits each out of the same drum. I hope i can reduce the time the water is flowing through the pvc. This winter thougb we have been using little bowls that we add a little water to every day in each cage. A real pain but its doable.

[@johngusmano387]

Great advice, I’ve switched to crocks this winter myself. It works perfect!

[@Slightlyrednecked]

Thanks for the kind comments. And thanks for watching.

[@stankyfingers3030]

Used rubber bowls.. my rabbits chewed them down to nothing in a few days. We moved to the thin stainless pet bowls from Walmart and oddly enough the metal bowls take longer to freeze than do the rubber ones. And the ice tends to spin around in the metal bowl so it's a lot easier to get the ice out

[@Slightlyrednecked]

that's a good suggestion. Thanks for sharing.

[@Richardofdanbury]

Here in New England we've had below freezing weather for over 14 days. While I keep my rabbits and quail in a common shed, heated with a Big Buddy Mr. Heater propane heater with 40lbs tanks, there have been several days of below 0 weather with some of the water bottle nipples having frozen over. I handle this by getting them water twice daily as well. This works well enough but going out to the shed in below 0 weather is chilling to the bone to say the least. ...and to think we've got a least another 12 weeks of winter to go... yikes!

[@Slightlyrednecked]

I know. Watering is definitely the worst part of winter. hang in there though, this too shall pass. :)

[@davemcavene]

Yup I'm on the MA/NH line and I change out the bottles 3 times a day when it's below freezing. The rabbits simply jump right on the bottle and drink as much as they can before it freezes up or they don't want to drink anymore. If I'm checking on them I might as well change out the bottles in the process.

[@rhondasnair9304]

I think in one of your video you talked about switching crocks to rubber dishes I did that the other day tried to get eight of them and store only had four so as of right now I have four rubber dishes and the other ones are plastic dishes that they're chewing up. Can't wait to get more cause I love them They are perfect

[@Slightlyrednecked]

Don't worry, they will get more back in stock soon. :)

[@judykutt5048]

Does your tarp help keep the wind out and the rabbits warmer? Also what material and thickness is the tarp? Thank you for these videos. They are very helpful?

[@Slightlyrednecked]

I am sure it does help keep the wind down. The rabbits don't really need any help staying warm just block the wind. I am not sure what thickness my tarp is but it is pretty thin. It is just a cheap multi purpose tarp. I have to replace them about once a year.

[@cleverkimscurios3783]

This is partly why we're moving to AZ ;)

[@Slightlyrednecked]

lol. That would do it. But you might have to install an AC unit for them then.

[@StroLife]

Love the video keep it up you have inspired to keep farming even just as a kid! first btw lol

[@Slightlyrednecked]

Thank you so much for the kind comments. And thanks for watching.

[@easttexastreasure7715]

We just froze some bowls and made big ice blocks they love chewing and licking on the ice. Other than that we changed the bottles out 3 times a day since they still seemed to prefer the bottle to drink from.

[@Slightlyrednecked]

Glad that is working for you. Bottles just don't work here when it gets down to the teens or below. The nipple freezes up almost instantly. I do find that they tend to chew on the ice i the bowls though.

[@easttexastreasure7715]

take the ice out of the bowls that prevents chewing on the bowls

[@Darth_SurgeYo]

I bring out a big pot of warm water and dump all the frozen bottles in it while I give feed to the animals then come back and hang the bottles back. The Rabbits drink all they can before the bottles freeze again. Works for me, they’re alive until the next time I come out. I’ve got a great idea to keep the water from freezing but I won’t make a video until I move my rabbits to my shed and hook up a water line to their cages ;)

[@Slightlyrednecked]

That would work well here except for the last week it has been down in the single digits and when it is that cold the nipple freezes almost instantly.

[@tropicallivingoverseas5202]

My rabbits have been getting a big bowl of snow instead of water. Works just fine; they seem to like it; far less hassle. Just like every other wild animal that doesn't have access to liquid water all winter long......

[@Slightlyrednecked]

That would work if i had snow. It is dry and cold here right now. :)

[@Slightlyrednecked]

lol. I guess that would do it.

[@betheubank3121]

Snow is great to fill in winter

[@freshstartqulinmo.5603]

The dollar tree sells little bitty bowls. When it freezes over all you gotta do is turn it upside down tap it and you have a fresh bowl

[@mikepriest5615]

apple wedges and carrots with they're pellets and hay will also provide fluids.

[@Slightlyrednecked]

That is true. A few pieces of fruit a day will help with water for sure.

[@stonehillridge2619]

I switch out the bottles twice a day and bring them in overnight so they don't freeze solid.

[@Slightlyrednecked]

My problem with bottles is that even if they don't freeze the nipple does and they can't get water out. But that depends on how cold it is of course.

[@stonehillridge2619]

Right, but using the same concept as your crocks, the rabbits hurry and drink before the nipple freezes.

[@ragidyman9551]

I see you have that tarp acting like walls, I'm seeing my rabbits up in Virginia and I thought I'd let them get some sun during the day, any thoughts? thx

[@Slightlyrednecked]

as long as they have a way to get out of direct sunlight it should be fine. You don't want to put them in a place where they are in direct sunlight and have no way to avoid it though.

[@ginoy007]

How do you stop rabbits from pooping on these water bowls, especially bunnies?

[@Slightlyrednecked]

you don't. You just have to dump the bowl out and rinse it when you fill it.

[@davidmccrum2774]

A few years back. A hard Winter froze and cracked all my water bottles. This last week has been mid 20's and below. The bowls are solid ice. I'm thinking a big bowl is the best solution. Or two bowls. One to swap out with fresh water and let the other one thaw.

[@Slightlyrednecked]

two bowls is a good idea for sure. I am not sure a bigger bowl would do much to keep it from freezing any faster but I haven't tried.

[@samanthamorris2207]

Good idea 😊

[@jasanaha1]

I have a mini shed with 4 wooden rabbit hutches. I keep the door shut but it still has an open window 12x24". I keep a heat lamp on to keep water spouts from freezing. I just fill the bottles half way full in case they do freeze. But I check the spouts every day and even in 18 degree weather, I still find that they have not frozen. I wish I could post the pictures but I don't know if I can or how.

[@Slightlyrednecked]

I am glad you have a good solution for that. Be careful with heat lamps though, they have been known to start fires and burn down sheds.

[@greatwesterngardens9405]

Ice i can deal with. But Ive lost 4 litters this month already due to sub freezing temperatures. Hasnt gotten above freezing in a couple of weeks now.

[@Slightlyrednecked]

So sorry to hear about that. I have never had a problem with kits in freezing temps. Stuff the nest box full of straw and the mother pulls fur and they do just fine.

[@giantandgermanangoras8382]

Nice video good job

[@Slightlyrednecked]

Thank you, glad you liked it.

[@momdoan]

What about the heated pet bowl?

[@Slightlyrednecked]

You could try that for sure. Just make sure they can't chew the wire.

[@ronmckinney4334]

You need a harbor freight solar panel connected to an inverter so you can put a heat lamp towards you water valves that's what I use it's -5 degrees here and I haven't had anything freeze up knock on wood

[@Slightlyrednecked]

That is a good idea. A bit pricey but if it works it might be worth it. The only problem is my rabbit shed is in the shade so i would have to put the panel a ways away from the shed itself.

[@ronmckinney4334]

Slightly Rednecked naw not really. The new 100w panels work in just daylight naturally the direct sun is better but these panels produce in the shade but you could probably figure something out. And the coupons they send out is 149 for solar kit and 129 for inverter. Battery or batteries are gonna be high unless you buy theirs for 39 each

[@Slightlyrednecked]

yeah, i have considered it but i just don't have an extra 300 laying around for a solar kit. Who knows, i might splurge some day though.

[@heikkiparviainen6084]

HAHA. Yea I thought so. Sweden. In Nov 1 hr sunshine Dec 2hrs Jan Null Feb 07 Sun glorious sun and a week of sun forecasted. We will see.

[@carolbauer4260]

I do the same thing,

[@layladarby2310]

I defrost the nipple valve by blowing warm air into to it, do this twice a day, she gets water.

[@Slightlyrednecked]

The problem I have is that the nipples freeze back up so quickly that it doesn't really give them any time to get much water out of it.

[@brandenedwards3288]

Thankfully where I live it doesn’t freeze that often in the winter

[@Slightlyrednecked]

It doesn't freeze for prolonged periods of time here but it does freeze often. It could be much worse. :)

[@keepthefaith1912]

I went to dollar store And bought deep,large mugs - for crocks...laaaaa~😉...

[@Slightlyrednecked]

If they don't knock them over that would work great.

[@leonahauf1290]

Dont use water bottles. It doesn't give them enough water. Water bowls are perfect

[@cailin7203]

THANK YOU!!!!

[@delcoshootingsupply]

I have been experimenting with a heated water bottle from Farm Innovators. www.amazon.com/Farm-Innovators-HRB-20-Rabbits-32-Ounce/dp/B000TZ7496 They use a brass nipple that conducts the heat and the heater is only 20 watts. I have it in my quail cage and with single digit temperatures no freezing. I am working on adding more brass nipples so multiple birds can drink at the same time.

[@Slightlyrednecked]

Great idea, thanks for sharing. I don't have electricity to my hutches but if I did i might consider that.

[@sarahshirley1278]

Slightly Rednecked we have the heated bottles. They will still freezer when it's -10 F as it has been much colder than that this past week. The nipples freeze occasionally. We just dip the tips in a cup of hot water for a moment to unfreeze them. We use them for rabbits and quail.

[@littleannipanni9057]

The floor isn`t good to your rabbit...😨

[@Slightlyrednecked]

That is not true. These rabbits are well adapted to wire cages. I addressed that concern in another video if you care to watch and leave your opinion on that video. kzbin.info?o=U&video_id=j2M4o6SRWTI

[@risingequinox3093]

I had a townie move into the area and he bought a bunch of cows. Thought they could eat grass all winter. Barely was able to save those cattle with the help of other neighbors and the police. People get an acre and buy horses. Put up little canopy and when everything is two feet deep in mud and the horses are starving and lame and the owners are on the way to jail they still don't know why. It takes more than home spun ideas to raise animals. It takes money. I don't prescribe to having rabbits being in temps below 32 degrees. Even then each cage should have a chew proof heat pad and a heated water bottle or bowl. Those cost money and if you can't afford to buy hay for your cows, dry space and food for your horses or heating for your chickens and rabbits, move to an apartment in the city and get a rat.

[@Slightlyrednecked]

I understand your concern.

[@truthseeker9561]

you are aware that people have been raising rabbits outdoors long before modern tech right? 😂

[@leonahauf1290]

This is horrible. Why is he in a cage!!!

[@cailin7203]

Thank you

[@fredwilliams8988]

Livestock, not pets

[@paintedcolorceramics1733]

Absolutely horrible! Bunnies need: Large area to run and play. Shouldn’t be in a small cage! Water 24/7 as it aids in digestion. Attention! This video is so sad. It makes me ill when I see ppl treat their bunnies this way!

[@jrobs100]

The bunny in this video looks well treated for. You have no idea what you are talking about.

[@fredwilliams8988]

Do you know the difference between pet rabbits and livestock rabbits?

[@kristenoberhauser8228]

I have had several friends lose their bunnies because the rabbit got too frisky and broke their back. They were all Angoras. One was running around the yard like a maniac, playing. One tried to go down stairs, hopped off the couch-something he did all the time, and one, they came back home and found her dragging her legs. I let my girls out regularly. They like going back in the cage. They are not wild and prefer to rest up inside. I have them close together, they get to see out a window, they have a fan in the summer. I pet them every day. They like being close to each other but not in the same area - they fight. I find it funny that they snuggle up in different cages but growl at each other otherwise. They are pretty happy and my rabbits live to be pretty old.

[@anonemoose6622]

First off they are rabbits, not bunnies. Large area to run and play means more room and easier for predators like hawks, dogs, and foxes to kill them. They don't need a lot of room. They are community animals if you want to put all boys or all girls in one, but they will bite and scratch each other. Sometimes to death. If you are raising them for meat, pelts, or show, it's responsible to keep them separate.

[@truthseeker9561]

rabbits have been raised outdoors for 100+ years before people started bringing them inside and trying to turn them into dogs and cats