first time ordering from bass equipment

[boundarybunnyco]

hey, has anyone here ordered rabbit supplies from bass equipment? I just ordered some things, a Sani nest, a couple aluminum crocks, a 2 liter water bottle kit... cage cards.
are they a good reliable company? their prices seemed reasonable. our local feed stores and farm stores either have very limited selection, or their prices are pretty high.

 

[Secuono]

Yep, everything came in fast and w/no issues.
Only thing is the water kit, is it the one with the spring coil? A 2 liter bottle is not strong enough not to squeeze and leak like mad, unless you lengthen the spring so it's not being compressed or have it high up near the bottom of the bottle[leg knobs] where the plastic is thicker.

 

[boundarybunnyco]

that's good to know. I saw on homesteading todays rabbit forum, a helpful post. someone posted how they make a thing out of cage wire to support the bottle.

 

[Miss M]

Yes, they are a good, reliable company. I have ordered from them, too.

My only complaints about Bass:
1 - They put 16 gauge wire on the floors of their cages. I will buy from Woody's Wabbits or Klubertanz from now on for cages
2 - If you want to order just a few small things, the shipping is hideous. If you are ordering more than that, it's quite reasonable.

I have their 2-liter bottle kits, and really like them. I always had so much trouble with bottles dripping out before I could refill them again in the summer, until I got these. Don't over-tighten. Tighten until it stops and is good and snug. I have way more leaks if they're overtightened. You do need the gasket. A garden hose washer of that size will work, as well.

I stretch the springs out some before I use them. Some people use two springs.

Some rabbits take time learning how to operate the things. You may need to leave a regular bottle or crock in there while they adjust. Take the other source of water out for a few hours during cooler temps (not in the middle of a summer day), to encourage them to try out the new bottle. Sometimes, I've sat there and moved the little button myself, to show the rabbit that this new weird thing contains water.

It is definitely worth the trouble, because they don't drip out. Most rabbits learn it quickly, too.

My one last holdout, our first bun, finally learned how to use the thing recently. You can teach an old rabbit new tricks. Okay, so he's only 3 years old...

 

[boundarybunnyco]

I will either buy the cages off craigslist, at Big R, or make them myself. I really need to find a good way to ensure the rabbits have water at all times. They drink more than the bottles I got at walmart, and they are really bad about tipping crocks or bowls. I'm gone from 4 a.m. till about 2 p.m. so I'm really worried about them this coming summer. Has anyone tried those Sani Nests? I ordered one, I have a few bred does due to kindle early next month.

__________ Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:47 pm __________

<br /><br />__________ Sat Feb 11, 2012 10:48 pm __________<br /><br />Big R has the 24x24 cages for 23 dollars, not bad...I'm making some much larger ones for my Flemish Giants and Flemish crosses.

 

[skysthelimit]

I used to order from them all of the time when I had pet rabbits. Now I have too many to make the ordering efficient, better to make my own stuff, and get the small stuff at shows.

 

[trinityoaks]

I've ordered numerous times from Bass, and have been very pleased with their service. My only complaint is that the shipping is high if you are ordering only a few small items.

As for the 2-liter bottle kits, I have a number of their older ones with the ball tip. I was able to minimize leaking with an additional rubber gasket or two (from the hardware/home-improvement store). Then they switched to the spring-tip, and my rabbits can't seem to operate it. I won't buy more of those.

 

[hoodat]

Their 2 liter water bottle kit will aso work on many glass bottles. I get organic vinegar in glass bottles that they work fine on. Glass won't go brittle in the sun and is easier to clean than plastic.