How to Water in Rabbit Farming

Although some large rabbit meat operations use expensive, automated watering systems, many smaller rabbit farms, or those who are just beginning, resort to the traditional individual bottle method. Although this is more labor-intensive, it is also cheaper and avoids the trouble of a complicated automated system breaking down. Water bottles with nipples are easier to fill than open dishes, since an owner does not have to open the cage to fill them and the water cannot be contaminated by the environment.

Things You'll Need

  • Rabbit water bottles
  • Water bottle holders
  • Bucket
  • Bleach
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a bulk order of plastic rabbit water bottles. Rabbit water bottles are unique in that they have a metal nipple with a bearing. When the rabbit licks the bearing water is released. Order about 10 percent more bottles than cages you plan to fill, because water bottles can become defective and leak over time, needing to be replaced.

    • 2

      Insert the nipple through each cage and snap the wire holder around the bottle on the outside. Place a water bottle in each cage so that the nipple is at the height of the rabbit's head when it is sitting naturally. Placing it too low will make the rabbit have to strain to drink out of it.

    • 3

      Fill a bucket of clean, fresh water. In hot weather, feed the rabbits cold water to cool them, and in cold weather use warm water.

    • 4

      Carry the bucket down the line of cages and fill each water bottle from it by unscrewing the nipple. Do this daily. The bottles should never be empty of water. After filling each bottle make sure the nipple isn't leaking, which is a sign of a defective bottle.

    • 5

      Sanitize the bottles every two weeks in a diluted chlorine or bleach solution to prevent bacteria and algae growth.