How easy/difficult to make/implement a watering system?

[FourRingCircus]

It's something I have wanted to do for both rabbits and chickens, but really was a bit intimidated by it (easily done for me... it's pitiful). I would like to do something so that I can have a single 5 gallon bucket to fill for each hutch rather than individual bottles. I know a few people on here use them, curious if you made them or purchased them? What are the pros and cons? Also, have you had any issues with not noticing sick or "off" rabbits soon enough because you can't monitor water intake (or in general there being a clogged line and not noticing)? What is the general upkeep/maintenance for this type of system? Is it easy enough for them to transition to a different style waterer?

Sorry so many questions . Just curious the logistics of it all.

 

[Miss M]

All good questions. We're looking at doing this soon ourselves, and my main thing is worrying that a rabbit will end up with water not coming to it, and it'll be difficult to detect. We currently check each bottle nozzle (post type), but I wonder if this will be enough.

We do have a 5 gallon bucket with 4 chicken nozzles on the bottom of it. That seems to be working well.

I'll be watching this thread.

 

[FourRingCircus]

All good questions. We're looking at doing this soon ourselves, and my main thing is worrying that a rabbit will end up with water not coming to it, and it'll be difficult to detect. We currently check each bottle nozzle (post type), but I wonder if this will be enough.

We do have a 5 gallon bucket with 4 chicken nozzles on the bottom of it. That seems to be working well.

I'll be watching this thread.

If one is a bit higher than the others I will squeeze it and then hit the ball at the end of it to make sure something is coming out. I guess making it a habit to verify water is flowing would be necessary? Also, when I first got them I purchased bottles that were top fill with a toggle type nozzle (not sure the correct terminology) and they couldn't figure them out. Thankfully I realized it before it got bad (although, as a newbie it took me far longer than it should have, I'm sure).

 

[wamplercathy]

watering-system-pvc-schedule-40-pics-beginning-to-end-t12974.html?hilit=watering%20system

 

[Lmannyr]

I started with my rabbits using a water system. The first was fed from a bucket which I hated. The bucket would grow algae, get dirty, and a pia to clean at least weekly. Since the water flows via gravity, the bucket had to be higher and thus difficult to clean.

I switched to a CLOSED system within six months and never looked back and would never recommend any other method. Very low maintenace!!! Water flows from city to a pressure regulator then to edstrom rabbit nipples. I check the nipples once a day by tapping the nipple, that's it. Once or twice a month I max out the pressure regulator and open a valve at the end of the line to flush any stagnant water. Done. Easy peasy. Ver low maintenace. Never had a nipple clog in the 3-4 years I have run my water this way.

 

[grumpy]

I started with my rabbits using a water system. The first was fed from a bucket which I hated. The bucket would grow algae, get dirty, and a pia to clean at least weekly. Since the water flows via gravity, the bucket had to be higher and thus difficult to clean.

I switched to a CLOSED system within six months and never looked back and would never recommend any other method. Very low maintenace!!! Water flows from city to a pressure regulator then to edstrom rabbit nipples. I check the nipples once a day by tapping the nipple, that's it. Once or twice a month I max out the pressure regulator and open a valve at the end of the line to flush any stagnant water. Done. Easy peasy. Ver low maintenace. Never had a nipple clog in the 3-4 years I have run my water this way.

Using a low-pressure pond pump with a return line to the reservoir,
one never has stagnant water. Not all rabbitry's are easily accessible to
a "city" water source, so folks often do NOT have a choice. One thing is
for certain and that is "ANY" type of auto-watering system is head and
shoulders above crocks and bottles.

25 years worth of experience with auto-watering has shown me
several things. First...there are no pat answers. and secondly: IF
given the chance "Murphy's-Law" will prevail.

Enclosed within a cabinet, ZERO light hits the barrels. Easily heated with
a parlor heater in the winter, 95+ degree water is pumped to 80+ holes
and returned. Once a month or so, I'll pump the barrels dry to remove
any detritus that might possibly accumulate within them. No worrisome
heat cable needs to be fished into and through the water lines.
The water pumps are inside the barrels attached to the exit nipple.
They run 24/7, 365 days a year. Rating is 350 gallons per hour.
Which means, the contents of the blue barrel 40 gallons, is cycled
9+ times per hour. The white barrel 30 gallons is cycled 12+ times
per hour. (They don't stay "full" all the time.)
Little to zero chance for stagnation.

 

[Lmannyr]

Grumpy,

That's sure a nice alternative for those without " city" water. It has some increased maintenance but can add ASV easily. I'm struggling to find a way to add ASV to my closed system. Ideas?

 

[FourRingCircus]

Very cool to see that set up! Thank you!

Another question, since I just had a sick rabbit turn up. Does that increase the risk of potential illness entering the water system? Individual waterbottles keep things contained, but I could see there being at least a small risk of backflow into the lines and then to another rabbit...

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Does that increase the risk of potential illness entering the water system?

No, even with a gravity fed problem there is no backflow.

 

[grumpy]

Grumpy,

That's sure a nice alternative for those without " city" water. It has some increased maintenance but can add ASV easily. I'm struggling to find a way to add ASV to my closed system. Ideas?

I'm assuming you mean "vinegar"....TBH: I tried it several years ago and
couldn't honestly tell a difference in my stock. I bought the "Real-Deal"
with the "mother"....LOL. Nearly $30.00 a gallon to my door...
Tha-a-a-a-a-t's a bit much for my pocket book :x
because of the amount I need to treat the herd.
250-300 head drink a butt-load of water.


I wouldn't have a clue about incorporating it into your city-system.
Except maybe one of those thing-a-ma-jigs that adds meds when
they're needed. ??Proportioner?? is that what it's called?

Does that increase the risk of potential illness entering the water system?

No, even with a gravity fed problem there is no backflow.

Thank you, MSD....I've tried to explain it for years...
No one chooses to listen.
The "bugs" in a rabbit's mouth DON'T move that fast to swim
upstream....=backflow is NOT gonna happen.
Crocks are a step-above drinking off the floor. The stock
continually places their feet in the container.
They pee in it as well. YUCK!! :x

Bottles....are better...IF they're cleaned and sanitized on a
timely basis. If not...then they're potential incubators for disease.

All systems are successful IF the amount of effort in maintaining
them is proportionate to style one chooses to use. None are
fool-proof nor fail-safe. Each and every system can and will fail
if allowed to do so.

 

[FourRingCircus]

Does that increase the risk of potential illness entering the water system?

No, even with a gravity fed problem there is no backflow.

Thank you, MSD....I've tried to explain it for years...
No one chooses to listen.
The "bugs" in a rabbit's mouth DON'T move that fast to swim
upstream....=backflow is NOT gonna happen.
Crocks are a step-above drinking off the floor. The stock
continually places their feet in the container.
They pee in it as well. YUCK!! :x

Bottles....are better...IF they're cleaned and sanitized on a
timely basis. If not...then they're potential incubators for disease.

All systems are successful IF the amount of effort in maintaining
them is proportionate to style one chooses to use. None are
fool-proof nor fail-safe. Each and every system can and will fail
if allowed to do so.

The reason I thought to ask is because I used cloth diapers and had a diaper sprayer. On a forum someone said that a plumber informed one lady that her sprayer was illegal because of the minute chance that back spray could get into the nozzle and backflow into the water line. I didn't know how possible it really was, so I figured I would ask

 

[DBA]

What you are talking about is negative pressure back flow. Can it happen? Sure, it is possible. It is also possible that Jennifer Nettles could show up on my door step today proclaiming she is madly in love with me and can't bare the idea of living without me.
There again, possible, but not very likely.