| Special considerations need to be given to
setting up automatic watering systems for multiple cages for guinea pigs
and rodents. They are prone to playing with the drinking valve and
causing spillage into the cage. Not only is spillage messy, but it
can cause health problems for the animals. If animals are left in
cages with wet bedding, they can quickly suffer from hyperthermia and die.
Edstrom offers a special valve with a play-guard
which is recommended for use with guinea pigs and rodents. This gp/mouse
drinking valve is #6139 - 3 1/6” barb and #6140 - 1/8” mpt incorporates
the same reliable operating mechanism as the Veri-Flo drinking valve.
It has the same low actuation force, making it usable by weaning mice.
The play-guard is made of stainless steel to withstand the gnawing of animals.
In guinea pigs, it is recommended that the
valve be mounted over wire flooring, to eliminate the possibility of damp
cage floors.
Mice will often stick the bedding material
into the drinking valve which may cause a continuous leak. Use of
fine wood chips should be avoided. It is the owner’s responsibility
to monitor the animal’s activities. Many breeders using solid plastic
cages have good luck mounting the valve on the top of the cage to a wire
mesh cover. Cage design must permit a method for the mice to crawl
up to the top and reach the drinking valve. For more information,
contact us for Edstrom literature.
Edstrom also offers cup waterers for use with
all types of poultry, including pigeons, quails, pheasants, doves and chickens.
Models are available which easily adapt to installation in hobbyist’s facilities.
The pivoting stem cup waterer is available with either 1/8” mpt connection,
#6141 or with 3/16” barb connection, #6142 for use in a flex-tube system.
The bowl of the cup is made of plastic and can be easily removed for cleaning. |
