I have had it with water bottles! - - Rant!

[oneofseven]

I have been using a water dish and have a bottle in the cage. They won't touch the bottle. How do I train the rabbits to use the bottle?

Well if you have both of them in there, the rabbits, I believe will take the one they are used too. When I got my rabbits, they were used to using a bottle. I use a water dish. They got used to the water dish. Got a snout full of water a few times, but they got the hang of it. I believe a rabbit is more comfortable drinking from a water dish. That's just my opinion. Many breeders use bottles. Take the water dish out, and show them the bottle. Do it on a day you can observe them. See if they take it. If they do, you got your water bottle. If not, you will need the water dish. Bunnies NEED lots of water. If they don't drink, they don't eat.

Good Luck. Hope others chime in who have the experience in bottles vs water dishes.

Thank you

 

[hoodat]

I have been using a water dish and have a bottle in the cage. They won't touch the bottle. How do I train the rabbits to use the bottle?

I hang my water bottles so the nipple extends over a water dish, then let the dish go dry for short periods of time. Just long enough to let them get a little thirsty. It doesn't take them long to poke at the nipples when the dish goes dry and in no time they discover the bottle is a water source.

 

[dewey]

Is your bun indoors or out?

Yep, it doesn't take long for them to get the hang of it. I hold the pressure valve in and let some water run...they're curious and also smell the water and come to investigate the odor and the activity. They may just lick the water that runs onto the wire (from holding it in or playing with it with a finger) at first, but pretty soon they follow the water trail up to the valve, accidently bumping the valve and water comes out for them...very much agree, it usually only takes a few training sessions like with a puppy or kitten.

It only has to be done with new rabbits, usually, unless a reminder is needed for a bun that's had only a crock for a long time. Many of mine hold the valve in with the side of their nose so that the water flows as freely as they choose it to. Smart buns. The kits learn how to drink from the does so I've never had need to teach any kit to drink from a bottle.

It gets very hot here so I wouldn't trust a ball type waterer not to malfunction. For outdoor/barn rabbits, when it gets really hot, they will actually drink less in the heat of the day, just when they need it most, so if a bottle malfunctions overnight, when they are prone to drink their fill of water, it could have dire effects.

 

[Shayanna]

I like using bowls more than bottles. And our rabbits love it. They dip their paws in it on hot days and use it to groom themselves. Also, for the 3-4 week old kits they think it is a wading pool.

 

[lee&lyric]

Oooh, I hear your pain. I won't even deal with those ball type bottles.
This type with the pressure valves are totally leak proof, have a pop open lid & don't have to be removed to be refilled http://mortonjones.com/detail.php?product_code=317 and they're only $4 or so.

YOU are a godsend. Thanks for sharing this link can't wait to tell Lee. Geeesh, our feed/water situation is a trip.