Mood: a-ok
Now Playing: The Bangles "Hazy Shade of Winter"
One of the reasons I hate winter so much is that I have to deal with frozen water bottles for the rabbits. I have two sets of water bottles for each rabbit; one is out in the barn with the rabbits, while I thaw out the other set by the woodstove.
Doing water detail like this involves several trips to the house to change water bottles. Watering takes up to an hour each day during the winter. And when it's really cold, they need to have the bottles changed more often. What I use for water bottles is called a soda bottle converter kit. I usually buy these from Klubertanz, but have been unable to find them in the most recent catalog. They work well, because you use a plastic soda bottle (32 oz. bottles work best) which can be replaced easily. I like to buy bottled seltzer water when it's on sale and use these bottles for the rabbits (after I've drunk the water, thank you). This set up works quite well in the summer, but for winter weather, it leaves a lot to be desired.
So, finally on the advice of Leslie Samson, I changed over to crocks for their water. Last Saturday, I went down to the local farmer's supply, and bought 2 dozen plastic crocks. I was able to get a good deal on the plastic crocks because I bought so many of them (never be afraid to ask for a discount when you are buying in bulk; if the store where you are doing this knows you well enough, most of the time they are happy to oblige). Anyway, for the past 5 days I've been using these crocks. It is working out well. I carry a plastic milk jug out to the barn filled with water, and fill up the crocks. If the water is completely frozen, all I have to do is bang two of the crocks together, and the ice falls out. The real bonus to this is that because we haven't had really severe weather this week, the rabbits are able to break any ice on the top of the crock and still drink. This makes for happy rabbits, and a happy owner. I've also been able to cut my watering time by half, which is nice when it is really cold outside.
Tonight, since it is completely miserable outside due to the snow/freezing rain/rain storm we've been having since last night, I plan to start swatching that sweater I showed on the blog last night.
Stay warm! :)