HUSBANDRY, EQUIPMENT, AND PROCUREMENT OF MICE 



551 



stoppers are removed and replaced. The water delivery tube may be bent at an angle 

 of about 100 degrees or it may be straight, depending on how the water bottle rests 

 on the cage cover. 



Water bottles of many sizes and types are available. In most cases the bottles were 

 originally designed for other uses. The size depends on the number of mice in the 

 cages and the frequency with which clean bottles of water are provided. Since it is 

 most economical to have only one type of bottle it should be large enough to provide 

 water for the maximum number of mice to be held in one cage for a one-week period. 



Fig. 90. TWO TYPES OF WATER BOTTLES WITH STAINLESS STEEL GOOSENECKS. 



Weekly changing of cages and water bottles is usually adequate, but all cages should be 

 inspected daily to insure that sufficient water is available and that no bottle has spilled 

 into a cage. 



The type of water bottle we use is a one-pint, square milk bottle. The mouth 

 of the bottle accommodates a no. 6-^ rubber stopper with a bent stainless steel tube. 

 The bottle support on the cage cover holds the bottle at an angle of about 1 5 degrees 

 from the horizontal. The greater this angle the more water can be utilized, but the less 

 the shelf space. 



Bottle cases. — Bottles can be conveniently handled in wire cases. Certain features 

 are desirable regardless of bottle design. The case should have individual compart- 

 ments for each bottle to minimize breakage. Bottoms should extend below the bottom 



