Is there something that can be added to my outdoor rabbits water bottle to keep it from freezing?

Question

I live in North Dakota, and temps drop below freezing frequently. We keep the rabbits in our garage, but their water bottle freezes, and we need to thaw it a couple times a day? Anyone know of any additives to prevent this? Thanks

Answer 1

Yes people who are stating its too cold for rabbits when the water freeze need to button up there mouths. Are you guys crazy? Rabbits are winter bound animals unless you have a rabbit with no fur on it, then thats what rabbits fur is for. If your rabbit was indoors all summer and then you threw it out in the garage then you might have a problem, a rabbit that was outside in the temps and was allowed to aclimatize will never have a problems no matter how cold it gets. IF they have a shelter that is wind proof and have hay and bedding there is nothing wrong with having the rabbit outside. They are more insulated that dogs. I live in Minnesota, which is right next door to North Dakota and we get just as cold!!! I have NEVER lost a rabbit to cold. I had 200 rabbits at one time, and If they are give proper shelter and bedding they are just perfectly fine, and hers are in a Garage, mine were outdoors in hutches and fenced yards.
There really isnt a way to keep the water bottles from freezing. There is no additive and salt will not work and its not a good idea, Salt only works in 20 degree weather not below freezing and not with live animals. The automated watering system works if you have lots of rabbits, but if you have only one or 2 its not worth the time and money, Heated bowls are a pain in the butt and dangerous around rabbits. Heated bowls are usually lined in plastic or rubbers and they can chew on it. The bowls are also prone to cracking and breaking in temps that fall below zero. I didnt use water bottles but I bought aluminum, wide based, non tippable dog dishes, and put heat tapes on the bottoms, I gave each one these dishes only in the winter. I had to replace water 2 times a day and they were fine.Besides in winter they drink and eat less so 2 times a day is fine. Believe me they drink there fill when they can. You are not depriving them of water. Take the bottles down and store them inside or you will be going through ALOT of bottles, The ice will split the plastic or glass, and break the ball mechanisms in the spout. Do not use plastic water dishes these will crack and break. Best is Aluminum and not stainless steel. Aluminum has some movement and flexability in the metal its easier to break out the ice when you fill again. By the end of winter youwill have several big ice blocks around but oh well. More water for the dirt!

Answer 2

I'd recommend going to a plastic crockbowl or aluminum crock bowl. When a water bottle freezes up the rabbit can't get any water at all. When a water bowl freezes up the rabbit can still lick the ice and get some water. My dad and I normally would change the water about twice a day in the winter. You can also fill the crock up about half full, then fill the other half up the second time. This way you only have to remove the ice from the bowl once a day. The plastic bowls you can bang against each other or against a board to knock the ice out. The aluminum bowls you can throw in a bucket of water and since the aluminum quickly conducts heat, the ice will melt along the edges of the bowl allowing the ice to slide out easily. The plastic crocks can be obtained almost anywhere like at Walmart or something. The aluminum ones can probably be ordered at http://www.klubertanz.com or some other rabbit product supply company.

There is still yet one more option, but it is more expensive. You can also run an automatic watering system for your rabbits. You'll have to run 1/2" pvc piping to each of the cages and put nipples on the piping for your rabbits to drink from. You can pour water into a 5 gallon bucket reservoir tank or hook it directly up to a water line. The bucket has a toilet float in it to fill it up when the water level drops. Inside the bucket is also a cattle waterer heater and a small water pump. The pump circulates the water through the pvc pipe and the heater in the bucket keeps the circulating water warm and prevents the pipes from freezing. You can also get a plug in that the pump and heater plug into that only turns them on when the temperature gets down to about 4 degrees above freezing. This system is available at:

http://www.bassequipment.com

Below is the exact address for the system I am talking about so you can see and get a better idea.

http://www.bassequipment.com/Automatic+Water+Systems/Freez-X%2c+Thermocube+/default.aspx

One thing nice about this system is that you never have to water again and your rabbits have drinkable water 24/7. It's really nice if you raise a lot of rabbits. If you install the automatic watering system. You may want to wrap some insulation around the bucket for extra good measure.

I don't recommend the heated water bowls since they have to be connected to an electric chord. The rabbit could end up chewing on the electric chord and next thing you know...dead bunny. And it could also be dangerous for you if the bare wires touch the metal cage and you go to open the cage without realizing that the frayed wires are touching the cage and that they could electrocute you when you go to open the cage.

Answer 3

Don't put anythng in their water. Switch to crocks/bowls. I don't like the aluminum bowls because they conduct cold too fast. (Personal preference.) A company called Van Ness makes a plastic crock (they call it a "CS3") that we have used for years. I have a 5 gal bucket with a piece of 2x4 across the top. I smack the bowls onto the 2x4, the ice falls into the bucket and I refill the bowl. I use a watering system (as described above) but had no luck keeping the nipples from freezing. At least with a bowl, the rabbits can lick the ice (better than no water at all!). These bowls have put up with years of freezing and thawing. You can get them for around 95 cents each if ordered in quantity.
Regarding keeping rabbits in the cold, my rabbits are healthier and happier being outside in the barn. The good Lord saw fit to give them a fur coat... who am I to argue with the Creator? (We've had babies born at -4 degrees F, never lost a one... but summer heat can be a real killer if you're not careful!)

Answer 4

I would just go with a heated water bowl for winter- that is what we had to do (live in WI). Make sure the whole cord is outside of the cage though. Or you can take a heating pad and wrap it around the bottle. There is nothing safe to add to the water, except for salt, but that will only delay it a little bit, and you have the chance of overloading your rabbits with salt.

Answer 5

Hi there!
Here's a tip: DO NOT give your rabbit warm water, warm water freezes more quickly.
You might want to try wrapping the water bottle in insulation (not something that can harm rabbits)
It worked for me, but I have Guinea pigs.
It stopped it freezing, but was cold (not enough to harm pets)

Answer 6

u could use a heated water bowl instead of a water bottle because if u put additives it might hurt the rabbit

Answer 7

I'm in NJ, and it's been below freezing her going on 3 weeks, there is nothing you can put in it, just keep changing it, and use water bowls

Answer 8

I hope your bunnies have a light or something inside their hutch box to keep them warm!

And....yes, you can buy a heated water bowl (plug in), mine was 25$ at the local farm and fleet.

Your bunnies can stay outside IF they have a heat source for their nesting box and fresh water and food. I'm sure you have a bunch of hay in there for them to snuggle in, too!

Answer 9

i live in iowa and we just used bowls for our water, we would have two per rabbit and keep one indoors and just fill it up and replace the frozen one a couple times a day.

and to everyone complaing about keeping them outdoors...rabbits actualy do a LOT better in cold tempurtures then do the in the heat of the summer.

Answer 10

If the water is freezing, it is too cold for domestic rabbits to be in the garage.