Do-it-yourself rabbit feeders

Novice rabbit breeders, before breeding eared pets, should take care of the cages and feeders first of all. What are the rabbit feeders that meet the requirements for maximum convenience in the absorption of food by animals and the minimum cost of ownership?

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The main types of feeders

Feeders themselves are a special device that helps to save time and energy necessary to properly care for and adjust the diet of the animals. In addition, properly positioned feeders will keep the cage clean for as long as possible.

There are a huge number of different rabbit feeders, which are divided into the following main types:

1. Ceramic bowls. Very beautiful factory products, they look at the highest level in cages. They are convenient for falling asleep for food, but rabbits often knock them over, which leads to trampling of food and contamination of the cage.
2. Nursery feeders - used for feeding hay. They are very practical devices. It requires constant monitoring of the amount of hay remaining in the feeder and its replenishment.
3. Trough-shaped rabbit feeders. They have a number of advantages: convenient filling of food, access of several individuals to one feeding trough is possible at once. They are used for concentrated feed and root crops.
4. Rabbit bunker feeders are used for bulk or concentrated feed. The main advantage of this type of feeder is that feed is poured into it every few days, which is especially convenient for those breeders who have a very limited time. It also keeps rabbits from scattering and trampling food throughout the cage, saving you budget.
5. Feeders in the form of cups. Usually, empty cans are used, which can serve as feeders and drinkers for rabbits, that is, they can be filled with pellets or water.

Rabbit drinkers can be varied:

• automatic;
• vacuum;
• nipple;
• cup (any bowls, cups, trays that you do not mind);
• from bottles (most often used in rabbit breeding).

What are the feeders made of

It is recommended to use the following materials for making feeders for feeding your pets:

• thin tin;
• metallic profile;
• wood (it can be a thin board, or a sheet of plywood);
• plastic;
• plexiglass;
• straight slate.

As auxiliary materials, thin wire or a rod are most often used.

If during the installation of the feeder sharp edges or notches were formed, then they must be smoothed, sanded, in order to avoid cuts in the skins of the rabbits.

Rules for the construction of a bunker feeder

Before starting the construction of rabbit feeders at home, it is necessary to first compare the dimensions of the cage and the drawings of the future feeder. If the choice stops at making a bunker-type feeder, then it is recommended to consider the most profitable and simple options for its construction.

The fastest and most inexpensive option for making a bunker feeder will be its construction from a 3-liter can.

How to make a rabbit feeder, step by step instructions:

1. Initially, it is recommended to draw a line across the can at a height of 1.5-2.5 cm from the bottom of the can.
2. Then cut off half the jar along to the line, without going beyond it.
3. After that, a large number of holes must be drilled in the bottom with a drill.
4. From the cut half of the jar, it is necessary to make a flat sheet (like a wall) and attach it to the feeder.
5. The finished hopper should be screwed onto the rabbit cage door (DIY rabbit cages).

Although such a feeder does not look very aesthetically pleasing, it is very easy to manufacture, economical (since it can be built from a can, in which, for example, tomato paste was) and convenient to use.

Rabbit breeders who have the skills to work with galvanized sheet metal will be able to build a zinc bunker feeder without much stress. Even those who do not have experience in tin work, rabbit breeders will be able to make such equipment for their pets, subject to the exact instructions and schemes for its manufacture.

Instructions for making galvanized iron hopper feeder

The first thing to do is cut out all the necessary parts according to the diagram. Then, using pliers, bend the sheet along the dotted lines indicated in the diagram.

In order to make the sheet easier to bend, it is recommended to make small cuts to the floor of the thickness of the galvanized sheet, using a knife and a ruler.

After making all the parts, according to the diagram, you can start assembling the feeder. Sharp corners and edges should be smoothed or sanded.

The finished product will look like the picture.

Valuable tips for building feeders at home

Before starting the manufacture of bunker feeders for rabbits according to the drawings, the following recommendations should be taken into account:

• all components of the arrangement of cages, including feeders, should be as convenient as possible in maintaining cleanliness and hygiene;
• if the feeder is made of thin materials that can be gnawed by rabbits, then it is necessary to cover the edges of the feeder with tin for its longest service life;
• it is recommended to arrange the feeders so that the feed is as little contaminated as possible (drill holes in the bottom of the feeder, or line the bottom with a fine grate);
• the volume of the feeders should not be less than the volume of the daily feeding rate of rabbits, otherwise the animals will climb into them and dirty;
• the attachment of the feeders to the cages should be as strong as possible to prevent them from overturning.

A creative approach to breeding pets with eared pets makes rabbit breeding a very interesting experience. If you build cages and feeders for rabbits with your own hands from scrap materials, then you can save an impressive amount before starting in the rabbit business.

Manufacturing a bunker feeder from sheet steel - video