Rabbits!

I love rabbits because...

  • They're sooo cute!

    Votes: 52 27.5%

  • They're friendly!

    Votes: 19 10.1%

  • They're entertaining!

    Votes: 40 21.2%

  • They've cast me under their fluffy spell!

    Votes: 78 41.3%
  • Total voters
    189
Date sort Score sort
If the bottle is leaking all of the water out, there is a problem with the bottle. With the typical ball-and-tube style of bottle, a few drips are normal right after it is filled, as it depends on a vacuum to hold the water in and some loss occurs as the vacuum is created. But once the vacuum is established, the only loss should be the occasional drip as the water warms up (during warm weather) and maybe a little right after the rabbit takes a drink. It can be a little tricky to find the right angle for the tube. If the tube is sitting at too shallow an angle (too close to horizontal) it can drain itself, as bubbles come up the tube and a vacuum never really forms. If there is a leak at the bottle/cap connection, the same thing can happen.

I don't know why your rabbit would have a problem with a dewdrop valve - they are functionally so similar to a bottle with a tube, most rabbits can transition from one to the other without issues. I have a water system in my rabbitry that involve water valves in each cage, and if for some reason I have to put a rabbit in a cage with a bottle, they switch over as if there was no difference. Are you sure the valve was functioning correctly? Just like a bottle with a tube, if you tap the end of the valve with your fingertip, it should get wet as a few drops of water come out.
 
Bunnylady said:
If the bottle is leaking all of the water out, there is a problem with the bottle. With the typical ball-and-tube style of bottle, a few drips are normal right after it is filled, as it depends on a vacuum to hold the water in and some loss occurs as the vacuum is created. But once the vacuum is established, the only loss should be the occasional drip as the water warms up (during warm weather) and maybe a little right after the rabbit takes a drink. It can be a little tricky to find the right angle for the tube. If the tube is sitting at too shallow an angle (too close to horizontal) it can drain itself, as bubbles come up the tube and a vacuum never really forms. If there is a leak at the bottle/cap connection, the same thing can happen. 

I don't know why your rabbit would have a problem with a dewdrop valve - they are functionally so similar to a bottle with a tube, most rabbits can transition from one to the other without issues. I have a water system in my rabbitry that involve water valves in each cage, and if for some reason I have to put a rabbit in a cage with a bottle, they switch over as if there was no difference. Are you sure the valve was functioning correctly? Just like a bottle with a tube, if you tap the end of the valve with your fingertip, it should get wet as a few drops of water come out. 
Click to expand...


Thanks! Yes, after filling, the bottle seems to continue to get air via the tube rather than form a vacuum, regardless of angle. I may just get another tube or whole new bottle. The valve worked fine when I tested it. I think he's being a stinker! Appreciate the response!
 
I took my SpitFire to a baseball game today (on a leash) and she LOVED it, everyone loved her too. It was so funny! She just got to run around the back field (it was local)
 
GardenNut said:
Is there a rabbit water bottle that doesn't leak!
Click to expand...
I don't think so..... If they don't leak when you get them, they will after a while. In addition to Bunnylady's advice, I'd read to always fill them right up. I got sick of those bottles and I've switched my bunnies to the same arrangement as the chooks. A water jug with a lubing cup.
 
Actually, rabbits prefer water from a bowl (was told by rabbit showers, and breeders) I have a large ceramic bowl for mine, and when it's really hot I put a few ice cubes in. It's a little messier this way but at least you know they can drink enough water
 
Thanks for the ideas and suggestions everyone! I did push the water tube up against the cap further, and that seems to have resolved the issue for the time being. No more air bubbles. But I know these bottles are very temperamental, so until next time.....

I do agree about using bowls/crocks for my rabbits and chickens. I think most watering systems are more for human convenience than animal comfort. Once the weather gets hot, I don't want my critters having to work too hard to get water either.
 
Before I swapped to the jug and cup, my bunnies had those bottles and a ceramic bowl. The thing with the bowl was that they'd fill it up with their hay which they'd fling everywhere.
 
GardenNut said:
Thanks for the ideas and suggestions everyone! I did push the water tube up against the cap further, and that seems to have resolved the issue for the time being. No more air bubbles. But I know these bottles are very temperamental, so until next time.....

I do agree about using bowls/crocks for my rabbits and chickens. I think most watering systems are more for human convenience than animal comfort. Once the weather gets hot, I don't want my critters having to work too hard to get water either.
Click to expand...
Well, of course they are. But when you have more than 50 cages (as I do), you may not have time to clean and fill that many bowls; and that doesn't take into account the rabbits that delight in dumping their bowls as fast as you fill them. But in over 30 years of keeping rabbits, I think I can safely say that the only times when getting enough water to the rabbits becomes an issue with a water system is during cold weather, when the system freezes up. During warm weather, the problem is more a case of too much water - valves that drip continuously, or rabbits that sit touching the valves so that the water wets their fur.

Of course, people that use crocks can have that problem, too - rabbits that sit with feet or other body parts in the bowl, lops that get their ears wet every time they get a drink. etc. No system of care is perfect, which is why I say there is no "best" way to care for animals, just "what works best for you."
 
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Need some help here...I'm getting my first bunny next week. It will be around 7-8 weeks old and is a lionhead mix. I'm keeping inside and have ordered an xtra large cage. What should I feed it? I have a type of hay grass dried out that I put in my chicken nest boxes but after reading at least 5 different web sites, I'm getting confused on what to feed. Some say alfalfa some say never feed alfalfa and same for Timothy. I'm in Florida and honestly believe the grass clippings are a Bahia grass. And as far as pellets I'm going to a few different stores to see what they offer but with it being so young I want it to be as healthy as possible so any tips would be great.
 
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poppycock1974 said:
Need some help here...I'm getting my first bunny next week. It will be around 7-8 weeks old and is a lionhead mix. I'm keeping inside and have ordered an xtra large cage. What should I feed it? I have a type of hay grass dried out that I put in my chicken nest boxes but after reading at least 5 different web sites, I'm getting confused on what to feed. Some say alfalfa some say never feed alfalfa and same for Timothy. I'm in Florida and honestly believe the grass clippings are a Bahia grass. And as far as pellets I'm going to a few different stores to see what they offer but with it being so young I want it to be as healthy as possible so any tips would be great.
Click to expand...

Feed him Timothy hay and pellets. 2 of mine are about 3 mo and eat it. For water I don't know what your planning but a bowl is best, they like it better. You may want to get another bunny too if your not going to be home to bond with him. Though it's not necessary. my 3 all live together but usually ignore each other so... Anyway, congrats!
 

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