Breeding rabbits is a process, no doubt, fascinating, but also requiring certain skills in overcoming some difficulties. In winter, livestock farmers face the problem of freezing of drinking troughs, especially in regions with severe winters. How to solve a painful issue, let's look at this article.
The role of water in the diet of rabbits
The body of mammals, including rabbits, on average consists of a seventy percent liquid, so it is difficult to overestimate the role of water.
Important! It is believed that cannibalism in rabbit due to lack of water. The female, lacking, eats the offspring to protect it from painful death from thirst and hunger. In the absence of the right amount of fluid, its mammary glands will not be able to produce milk.A sufficient amount of fluid in the body of the rabbit provides many vital processes, for example:
- digestion;
- the excretory and urinary systems;
- blood formation;
- the formation of intracellular fluid;
- transportation of oxygen and nutrients to all "corners" of the body;
- health of the skin and coat;
- nutrition of the brain and central nervous system;
- maintain optimal body temperature.
What water should be eared
Domestic individuals have a weaker immunity than wild ones, so water from rivers, ponds, other open sources can be dangerous for them. Bacteria and infections are possible in such bodies of water, unlike running water or a well.
Before feeding the animals water is settled or cleaned with a filter. Boil is not necessary, but if it is too cold, it is advisable to heat. Even in summer, the recommended temperature is + 18-20 ° C.
Animal daily fluid requirements
The need for life-giving moisture, depending on the age and condition of the animal, may differ.
Important! Immediately after the resolution of the burden, the rabbit needs a large amount of water to make up for the moisture lost during the generic process; she can drink up to 2.5 liters. With the predominance of dry eared food in the diet, the liquid rate increases by about 0.5 l.The daily rate for various individuals of the herd is:
- young animals - up to 1.5 liters;
- adult-0.5-1 liter;
- female in the position of 1.5-2 liters;
- female during lactation - up to 2 liters.
How to give water to rabbits in winter when it is kept outdoors if the water freezes
In the southern regions, where the temperature in winter does not drop to a critical one, the pipes in the auto-drinker can be insulated with thermally insulating materials, wrapped along the entire length.
On sale in hardware stores you can purchase these types of insulation:
- polystyrene foam;
- fiberglass;
- heat-insulating paint.
Under more severe conditions this may not be enough; heating with electricity will be required.
It will be useful for you to read about how to water the rabbits with water, and also to learn how to make a drinking bowl for rabbits with your own hands.
Electric drinker
Electric water supply system can be purchased in finished form in the store. Many livestock breeders prefer to assemble the structure independently, choosing the most convenient type: nipple, vacuum or main. In addition, home design will be cheaper. 
For its manufacture, in addition to the heating element, you will need hoses, mounting parts, plastic or metal containers. Experienced breeders willingly share assembly instructions on the Internet.
Did you know? In 2003, in Wichita in the USA, a record holder was determined, the owner of the longest rabbit ears. Rabbit ears were equal to 79 cm, the corresponding entry is in the Guinness Book of Records.
Constant topping up with warm water
This option is acceptable if you can pay attention to animals almost around the clock. If we consider that the initial freezing temperature is 0 ° C, then in severe frost the liquid freezes almost before our eyes. Therefore, in addition to the need to add warm water, you must also make sure that the pets had time to drink it, before the glaciation.
Can rabbits give snow or ice
There is an opinion that since no one warms water to wild individuals, they perfectly quench their thirst with snow or ice, they will also arrange such pets for pets. The opinion is fair, but one should not forget that individuals living in the wild with strong immunity, not weakened by selection, crossing of different breeds. 
It should be taken into account that when drinking snow or ice, the animal's body temperature will drop, and the body will begin to waste energy to heat itself. Accordingly, an additional portion of feed will be needed.
Recall also that hypothermia is fraught with diseases. Therefore, snow and ice are given to house fluffies in extreme cases, and the “product” must be clean.
We advise you to read about how to choose a rabbit when buying, how to determine the sex of a rabbit, when and how to feed eared animals at home, as well as what affects life expectancy and how long the rabbits live on average.
Why should iodine be added to rabbits
At about 28 days old, rabbits are weaned from their mother. Babies with an immature immune system need prevention from diseases, so the little rabbits get drunk with some iodine. Up to three milliliters of iodine is added to ten liters of liquid. Prevention lasts about two weeks. 
To summarize: the health of eared pets depends largely on the quality and quantity of the fluid they consume.
Did you know? The rabbit can reach speeds of up to 56 kilometers per hour, while its closest relative, the hare, can reach up to 72 kilometers.The acquisition or self-assembly of an electric drinker will be much cheaper in many ways: saving time, money for food and medicine in case of illness.
Reviews from the network
We keep them for ourselves. There are those who indulge in children, and there are those who are contained for meat. But they both need proper nutrition. Very often, I am asked by neighbors, acquaintances, friends, how to properly water the rabbits in winter, and in general, should they be watered?
I will answer simply and clearly, rabbits like any other animal wants to drink. Especially in the summer, and especially, regardless of the season, in the period of wearing babies in the tummy. Now about watering in the winter of all the rabbits that you have in particular. See, I give them only warm water (as the cold will quickly freeze if the cells are in your street) and I try to give it fresh twice a day. Warm water warms them. Further, if you do not have time, you are at work all the time, then in that case rabbits can be given pure snow. Do you do the following, put snow in their watering, and then the rabbits will drink it all day until you are not at home, and when they come home, be sure to give them some warm water for the night. But, there are those who manage to give the rabbits ice instead of snow, on the goloshu on the fact that this is absolutely impossible to do.
There is also such a nuance in feeding rabbits. If you feed them with mixed fodder, then it is salty in itself, and then you give water to the usual one, and if you feed with other food, then you must add some salt water. And at very many plants, instead of water, rabbits are made wet food. This is a mixture of potato and pumpkin puree. And in this way the rabbits quench their thirst, these are additional vitamins and simultaneous hydration of the body during the winter period. This is how we quench our thirst for rabbits.
