Automatic fluid delivery systems and methods

An automatic fluid delivery system for delivering a fluid from an automatic water system to a cage in an animal caging system for housing one or more animals, comprising:

• a flexible, non-metal, hose-type manifold line having a plurality of circular apertures;
• and
• a plurality of saddle fittings each configured to fit into an aperture,
• wherein each cage location comprises two apertures opposite one other and two saddle fittings fit thereto,
• each saddle fitting formed of injection molded plastic, and
• each saddle fitting further comprising:
• a U-shaped portion configured to fit around the flexible manifold line;
• an inward-facing protrusion sized and configured to penetrate and seal to an aperture;
• a sealing rib around the protrusion configured to form a radial seal around the circumference of the aperture;
• and
• one or more grip ribs on the U-shaped portion configured to grip the flexible manifold line on either side of the aperture and prevent the saddle fitting from moving laterally, stretching the flexible manifold line and deforming the aperture.