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tamara84
Fri Aug 22, 2003 1:45 am
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 how to safely modify a cage? |
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Since im getting atleast one or 2 new buddies for Zoltan, i want to add a second level onto the cage i have already.
my mom brought it home for me a couple weeks ago. its sold as a rabbit cage. useing the cage calulator it fits about 4.5 rats (its about 5 square feet of open space.)
my plan is to add a second level. it would run the length of the cage and be about half the width.
i was just curious about rat-friendly materials to make it with (i was thinking a slab of plywood or mdf or something like that) would this be ok? and do i have to seal it with anything or can it be just bare wood?
and how could i safely attach it to the cage? i have huge fears of Zoltan, being as squishy as he is, climbing up and toppling the shelf off.
if anyone has ever done this before, any tips you have would help.
just let me know if you need anymore information about the construction of the cage...
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Garou
Fri Aug 22, 2003 2:30 am
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Ah, Be careful with plywood, I find that with one of the old cages I had either the rats would use the wood as a chew toy ((this goes especially if your rats are real chew-monsters)) or that they would urinate on the plywood, and then it would smell and it would be next to impossible to remove the smell... how about you use a less absorbement material? I have no idea what MDF is so I couldn't help you with that stuff
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venuslava
RP Supporter
Fri Aug 22, 2003 2:54 am
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i have the same with wood Garou it really is bad . Maybe you can try to use adhesive plastic to cover the wood tamara ? It's easy cleanup at least  good luck .
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Linda
RP Supporter
Fri Aug 22, 2003 3:41 am
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The shelves in my aviary cage are wood treated with shellac. They get washed down every few days and they don't smell noticeably.
They are fixed with cup hooks screwed into the wood and hooked over the horizontal bars of the cage - not even the fattest rattus could tip them over.
_________________
Linda and the RMDs
Many have forgotten this truth but you must not forget it. We remain responsible forever, for what we have tamed.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery. |
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tamara84
Fri Aug 22, 2003 4:07 am
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useing cup hooks was the origional idea i had. im glad to hear it works.
just had a thought about materials. what about wood like a bookself...the kind with the plastic-y stuff on it? zoltan doesnt chew, but i dont know about the new ones...
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