We all hate those cold days when the water freezes and we freeze our hands trying to keep the bunnies in drinking water. I used to use this system when our rabbits were in individual cages and thought I'd post about it even though the rabbits are now in a colony with a rubber bowl for water.
I bought those plastic food containers, the square ones that used to sell 3/$1 at Dollarama. Something like these:
http://www.ziploc.com/Products/Pages/Co ... 4%20ounces
Any square or rectangular containers that nest will work. The ones I used held about 16 oz. of water. I used two for each cage.
One I pierced with an ice pick, four times near the rim on one side and a few times on the base for drainage. I wired it through the holes in two places so I could attach it to the cage wire. This serves as a holder and stays in place permanently. A second container nests inside and this liner is what actually holds the water.
I'd take a bucket of hot water down to the rabbitry. I'd open the cage, lift out the frozen liner and float it in the bucket. The ice block unmoulds almost instantly can be dumped out. Then I'd scoop up warm water and replace the liner in the holder. Close the cage and I'm done.
The plastic boxes take quite a long time to freeze to the point where the rabbits cannot get a drink. In extreme cold, I made three trips a day, but for most of the winter, morning and late afternoon is enough. I know a lot of people prefer water bottles, but I just wanted to post this as a cheap and easy alternative.
If you wear rubber gloves (the kind for dishwashing) your hands will stay fairly comfortable and you can warm them in the bucket if you need to without getting them wet. No chapped hands!
Occasionally you get a rabbit that likes to fling dishes and so forth around the cage. I found a clip like you would use for closing a bag of potato chips helped to discourage this.
This system worked well for me. I hope it is of some use to others as well.
I bought those plastic food containers, the square ones that used to sell 3/$1 at Dollarama. Something like these:
http://www.ziploc.com/Products/Pages/Co ... 4%20ounces
Any square or rectangular containers that nest will work. The ones I used held about 16 oz. of water. I used two for each cage.
One I pierced with an ice pick, four times near the rim on one side and a few times on the base for drainage. I wired it through the holes in two places so I could attach it to the cage wire. This serves as a holder and stays in place permanently. A second container nests inside and this liner is what actually holds the water.
I'd take a bucket of hot water down to the rabbitry. I'd open the cage, lift out the frozen liner and float it in the bucket. The ice block unmoulds almost instantly can be dumped out. Then I'd scoop up warm water and replace the liner in the holder. Close the cage and I'm done.
The plastic boxes take quite a long time to freeze to the point where the rabbits cannot get a drink. In extreme cold, I made three trips a day, but for most of the winter, morning and late afternoon is enough. I know a lot of people prefer water bottles, but I just wanted to post this as a cheap and easy alternative.
If you wear rubber gloves (the kind for dishwashing) your hands will stay fairly comfortable and you can warm them in the bucket if you need to without getting them wet. No chapped hands!
Occasionally you get a rabbit that likes to fling dishes and so forth around the cage. I found a clip like you would use for closing a bag of potato chips helped to discourage this.
This system worked well for me. I hope it is of some use to others as well.
