RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Sun Jan 22, 2006 8:12 am

When I did a google search on homemade rat cages and it came up with cages like these:

I was wondering if these would work for rats. I would of course put a top on but that would be sooooo cool it they did imagine what you could build! I dont know about the spacing though because its 1 1/2 inches. Is that too big for rats? The stuff they use for the litter tray is the material they use for election signs called cloroplast... I think. Would they chew that? And if they did would it be toxic? But it would be really cheap if it would work out becase the cubes are like $30 for 15... I think. And the cloroplast would be like $30 or more. But if you look at how big it could be it would be a good deal. And you would need to use a top but a closet shelf would do fine.

I just want some advise on this before I do it if i do.

Thank you,

Jordan

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RATS: REX: Murray & Darby HAIRLESS: Horace
RIP: HENRY, My Love & HOWIE, My Angel

I <3 Rats

Sun Jan 22, 2006 10:42 am

I'd be worried about how you clean it, and get into it if a rattie is reluctant to come out or something... And yeah, the bar spacing is probably a bit much for anything but the biggest boys. But yeah, other than all that, it has potential!

FD

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Sun Jan 22, 2006 11:30 am

Please don't unless you can find the cubes with the extra small wire spacing (Target used to carry them). One of my boys got stuck part way through the bars. It was terrible and panic filled for all involved. He was fine, but I completely dismantled all my hard work. I put him in as a tester for my prototype, and this happend withing the first 1-2 minutes he was in the cage. Luckily I was right there.

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paisley

Spike, Diamond, Elphaba, Rose, Octavia, A Cappella, & Nocturne

the cats: Trip & Phlox

the rabbit: Ripley

Sun Jan 22, 2006 6:28 pm

I built a cage using those cage cubes a while back. There are many draw backs. The cube cages are often used for rabbits and guinea pigs as the one in the picture is.

1. You will need to double grid them, double gridding you end up with roughly 3/4" by 1.5" spacing. The youngest I had in there was a 4 month old female. She could get most of her head through (and still can) but that's about it.
2. If you are going to make levels using the cubes, they would have to be triple grided or you need to find some alternative.
3. The cage I built was fairly large (24"x14"x42") and with the triple and double griding, I can't lift the cage w/o help so cleaning is based around the helpers availability. >_> Actually, I couldn't even lift the box of grids myself so that should have been a clue.
4. Doors are hard to make when you double grid the outside. You'd need the plastic framing from martins to use around the doors.

So basically, I don't recommend it. Yes, it's a somewhat cheaper alternative and you get to design it yourself (my main motive) but I would advise just purchasing a martins. I love the cage I built but weight wise it's a struggle to take care of on your own.

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--;[Dannie/]
Ratties: Kina, Cessi, Nerissa and Dare

Sun Jan 22, 2006 7:11 pm

Bar spacing should be between 1/2 and 1 inch at the largest - but small rats will squeeze out through much more than half an inch. I have no idea what that stuff is you mention and so I can't really comment. If someone could find a link or has more info on what it's made from, then I could comment more. I think you mean this stuff which should be pretty safe (depending on what it's coated or painted with) but would likely get chewed to shreds.

There's plenty of advice here and in the Cages forum on building cages - my own advice would be to ensure that it's easy to move, not too heavy (or easy to take apart regularly), easy to break down for moving etc, stable, sturdy, safe, easy to clean thoroughly, that each level is at least a foot high, and that it has plenty of large doors and a flip top lid. Make sure there are no sharp edges or corners that could hurt you or the rats. And while that looks awesome, do consider that it might be just as cost effective (or nearly so) to buy a cage second hand or from Martin's etc, and easier to move and maintain them.

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Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:39 am

I think this is a better alternative and just as cheap...

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~~Dawn~~

Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:51 am

That looks more like a guinea pig cage to me...try going to Wal-Mart and getting those "Small Animal Playpens." You can make a cage like Dawn's, which would work just fine, for between $50-100 (depending on how big you want it).

*EDIT*

I can see Dawn has already posted a picture. That's about the best homemade option I can really think of.

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-Ben
My rats: Squishy, Squee, and Nibbler
My dogs (at my mother's house): Lucy and Ricky
My cats (at my dad's house--in Florida!): Cleo (RIP) and Zima

Mon Jan 23, 2006 1:41 am

Here is a thread about how to make cages like mine and Dawn's

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Rosie

* * *

I miss you Tut, Goldy, and Raoul Angel rat

Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:24 am

I know that these are for cavies. I was just wondering if there would be a way for them to work. I have a cage for my 2 rats that can fit 4 so I am not looking to build one of these I'm just saying that they look cool and might like to build one in the futre thats all.

Thank you,

Jordan

P.S. Littlewillow, that is the stuff i was thinking of.

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RATS: REX: Murray & Darby HAIRLESS: Horace
RIP: HENRY, My Love & HOWIE, My Angel

I <3 Rats

Mon Jan 23, 2006 4:53 am

Linens N Things has cubes with wire spacing a LOT smaller. Here's a picture of the cubes~~
http://crittersrus.myphotoalbum.com/view_photo.php?set_albumName=album08&id=cage_side_view_jpg

I don't know if I'd want to make a cage like that for rats, but I think you can certainly make it work for you.

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~Ally~

The Critters:
Molly- 9 year old female boxer; dog
Jinx- 3 year old male tabby; cat
Nemo- 1 year old PEW male rat
RIP Squirt~ 8.26.04-9.30.05 <3

Sun Jan 29, 2006 5:37 am

WOW, I want one of those cages badly now. I've seen those play pens before...I'm SO going to make one, one of these days. That's so cool!

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-Randi and the Rats: Notti, Mysty, Nilla, and Wafer

~My precious Angels: Nosi, Jumper, Margie, Francie, and Bart~ We miss you.

Sun Jan 29, 2006 10:09 pm

I actually made a cubes and coroplast cage over the summer. They no longer make the kind with smaller bar spacing (just to save everybody the time and effort of searching for it. It's gone.) but I bought coated hardware cloth and a zillion cable ties to cover the outside of the cage (and, the hardware cloth is really cheap, so when it starts getting worn it shouldn't be too bad to replace). For the levels, I bought a roll of vinyl flooring (Home Depot, etc. has rolls of remnants. I think mine was $11-12.) I absolutely love the cage except for two things: One, because it's so large, it's kind of shadowy and dark towards the back, but..I figure the rats probably prefer that anyway. Two, it -is- a pain to do a full cleaning.

The doors I made are just panels held on with looser cable ties. My older girls were all pretty big chewers, but I haven't had anybody chewing cable ties off. I think it's so roomy that they're less inclined to try to break out. They did find one corner where the hardware cloth wasn't as secure and managed to make an opening, but it's easy to repair.

The coroplast for the base was more expensive than I anticipated ($20something) but it's very easy to work with and I haven't had problems with it. The cage sits inside the base, so the only time they can really get to it is when they're out of the cage. There's some minor chewing on the edges by the doors, but that's it.

The regular cleanings are really easy. I just take everything out, spray, wipe, wash the toys, put fresh bedding in, add some new cardboard boxes, and it's done.

It's 28.5" by 28.5" by 56". Currently, four very spoiled little girls live in it.

Mon Feb 06, 2006 8:02 pm

that is really cool!!! you wouldnt by any chance have anymore pictures of it, would you?? I wold love to do something like that for my girls! Their cage holds up to 5 rats, and thats all Ihave in there..but they are so squished I think. And besides.. i have a huge hope chest that their cage sits on, and it doesn't even cover the whole thing.. i could make it a bit bigger.... oh the possibilites!!!!

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