The device of nipple drinkers for rabbits
To ensure normal conditions for keeping rabbits, it is necessary to take care of the presence of clean drinking water, which animals cannot do without: they have a poorly developed digestive system, and any deviation from the correct diet entails problems. Access to drinking should be free, there are many devices for this, but nipple drinkers for rabbits are considered one of the best.
Nipple drinkers
Varieties and short description
Nipple drinkers for domestic rabbits are different:
- cup (a small container attached to the cage);
- automatic (a construction of a bottle and a cup, located in such a way that the bottle is above the cup with the neck down, as a result, the cup is never empty: water automatically flows into it);
- nipple (best for animals such as rabbits: water is supplied when the animal touches a special ball).
The advantages of a nipple drinker are obvious.
- Security. No sharp corners, small parts that can harm pets.
- Sterility. The drinking bowl is made in such a way that debris, dust cannot get into the device.
- Lack of germs. The tube is made of stainless steel, which also protects against a variety of microbes, infections, because the metal is not a carrier of various infections.
- Multifunctionality. The drinker is suitable not only for drinking, but also for supplying medicines to animals, as well as vitamins.
There are a number of features of a nipple drinker that you should pay attention to before purchasing. The small volume of the device does not make it possible to water a large number of rabbits. It is more suitable for hobby farmers who breed small numbers of animals. Without a special heating cable, in winter at subzero temperatures, the water freezes, the cover wears out.
How to make a nipple drinker
Installation, installation, tanks made by a tank - all this can be examined in detail at a master class from a video on the Internet. As a result, it will be possible to achieve the desired result with your own hands. The price for a ready-made kit will differ significantly from the purchased parts separately, and the assembly is not that difficult, so you should try to make the product yourself. The requirements for drinking bowls are strict.
Any drinker, nipple, automatic or regular cup, must first of all fulfill its direct function. The main requirements for any devices in this direction are as follows:
- Purity of drinking water: the function of any type of drinker is protection from dust and dirt.
- Stability: the structure for water must be stable, not topple over, for this it is firmly attached to the wall of the cage.
- The volume of the tank must be sufficient to ensure the drinking of all animals living in the same enclosure - if the volume is small, you can add another drinker, depending on the amount of water you drink.
- Washing: the water device should be washed every day with special care, in summer you can increase the number of this procedure.
You can make DIY nipple drinkers for rabbits with a plastic bottle or hose. After the dimensions of this structure have been determined, you can start working.
Drinking bowl with plastic bottle
This method is suitable for 1-3 rabbits in one cage, and it is elementary to do it with your own hands. Manufacturing does not require any special knowledge. For those who are completely incomprehensible how this is done, it is enough to look at a photo or video, everything becomes extremely clear. All materials are affordable and affordable. Some materials and tools will be needed.
- Nipple. The most important part of the whole project. It can be purchased at any hardware store. It comes in two types: plastic and metal stainless steel. If possible, it is better to give preference to the second option: the metal nipple will last longer and it is less harmful. But if there is no way out, a plastic one will do, but it will have to be changed at least once a month.
- Plastic bottle. It is worth noting that too large a volume will be difficult to fix to the cage, so it is better to make small drinkers, but several pieces.
- Rubber.
- A utility knife or large scissors. A clerical knife is better suited: it is much more convenient for them to cut.
- Wire. It serves as an attachment to the wall, so it is better to take a thicker one so as not to doubt that the drinker is securely attached to the cage.
The first thing to do is measure the diameter of the neck of the bottle, which will serve as a water reservoir. Next, buy a nipple of a suitable size, make a bottle cap, that is, cut a circle to fit the neck. Before inserting the cap into the bottle, it is necessary to make a hole in it for the nipple, then insert the cap and secure it. The last step is to secure the finished structure to the wall with wire, which should be sufficient to ensure reliability. The height of the nipple drinker should be at the height of the rabbit in order to be comfortable to drink.
Hose version of the nipple drinker
It is easy to carry out this task with your own hands. With around 20 rabbits, the nipple hose drinkers for domestic rabbits are the ideal solution to quench your thirst. The advantages of this drinker are the absence of "queues" of rabbits for water, because they can drink at the same time, and also there is no need to frequently add water to the tank, thanks to this design. Before starting the procedure, make sure you have everything you need.
- Hose. It can be rubber or plastic. Everyone chooses for himself which one will be more convenient for him to use.
- Nipple.
- Office knife or scissors.
- Capacity for water. It could be a canister.
- Wire for fastening the structure.
The first thing to buy is a hose. The owner of the rabbits determines the length himself, depending on the distance between the cage and the canister. It is better to take a little more so as not to be mistaken. Next, you need to choose a canister for drinking water, install it as close as possible to the rabbit enclosure. The height of the tank should be higher than the rabbit cage for better and faster water flow into the enclosure.
Holes must be made in the hose for the nipples. It is necessary to accurately measure the diameter of the nipple and very carefully cut the hole on the hose. There can be as many holes as the size of the enclosure allows, but the distance between them should not be less than 30 cm so that the rabbits feel free while drinking.
Next, you need to insert the nipples into the finished holes. Be sure to inspect and check with your hands so that there are no cracks or holes at the joints. If a crack is found in the plastic hose, you can seal it with a sealant. To get the nipples in place, you can warm up the hose before installing the nipples in it.Using a wire, secure the hose around the perimeter or on one side (with a small number of heads). The other end is attached to the reservoir.
It is not difficult to accustom a rabbit to a drinker: they themselves will understand the principle of operation of the device, because they try everything on the tooth. As soon as they start touching the nipple, water will automatically flow out. Smart animals will immediately understand what's what.