Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've finally completed my newest design of Rat and Mouse breeder cages for my feeder rodents. I basically just wanted to have something lightweight (as anything needing a hardcore washing has to be walked up 2 flights of stairs to hose down), stackable if I hooked up my gravity bucket system (which I did, but I'm not breeding enough of them-yet, give it time, haha-to stack) and very easy to make, not to mention economical for me to buy the mats.

Interested to see what everyone thinks. Thus far, I've had zero problems, though I am going to be changing the bins I use for mice as I'd like to get a small group of ASFR too (any idea who breeds them in the New England area so I can get some?).

First picture is the Mouse cage and is made from 1/2" vinyl-coated mesh which is dual layered (so essentially making it 1/4" width) to prevent escapes.
The 2nd picture is the Rat cage with just one layer of 1/2" mesh.
The 3rd picture is showing how well they can stack (I keep mine on a deep bookshelf so it works nicely).
These are very secure bins (believe it or not, lol) ;D I really am enjoying seeing my idea come to life and work! haha

Hugs!

Amanda

I am wondering how much airflow comes around the cages when they are stacked on top. I think I would try to separate the layers by several inches to get some air movement otherwise it sort of negates the wire top on the ones underneath.
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Sonya

I'm not mean. You're just a sissy.
Happy Bunny

And will be tricky to negotiate the plumbing. When stacked like that, no room for water bottles so would have to be gravity feed.

Here's a concept for a more solid top that you could use spacer blocks or like I did, have a shelving unit to slide them in/out of. They were made to fit a 10 gallon tank (cut in half) but the idea would work for any size enclosure. BTW, they were never (not even one single time) able to chew out of a half height 10 gallon tank!

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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
20.28 BRB
13.18 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

where can you get a glass cutter from and about how much do they cost?
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1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Rex- "normal" orange fire)
1.0.0 Bearded Dragon (Glutany- German Giant Mix)
0.1.0 Okeetee Corn (Okatee)
1.1.0 Spotted Python (Hotdog and Shoelace)

I believe any hardware store will carry them and cheap ones are a few bucks. To use on a tank, cut a guide board such that when the cutter is slidding on it the cutting wheel will be right in the middle of the glass panel. Score the outside of all four sides. Then, starting with the ends, set the cage with that side down and tap from the inside along the score line with the ball end of the cutter. You can see the crack form and if done right, follow the score line. Once you've done the ends, then do the long sides. USE CAUTION when rolling over to the last side as there's not mush support left. AKA, hold it together well as you roll to the last side.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
20.28 BRB
13.18 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I like your idea there. Very nifty.

As for the comment on stacking, I've tried this and had no issues because they have a few inches around the top for airflow. So far I've had zero issues with this.
I state all over my site and postings that if you are going to stack however, you cannot use water bottles as it simply won't stack like that and that a gravity watering system must be implimented at that point.

What type of mesh is that in your photo? Is it 1/2" hardware cloth/mesh?

Thanks for the comments and pictures!

Amanda

I do want to add something to my post here. Although they have "a few inches" all around the top for ventilation, I think the ONLY reason this works is because these are not incredibly tall bins. Anything taller would have a horrible buildup of ammonia and would be detrimental to the rodents.
I have been thinking though, regarless that this has been working for my kiddos for months now, I really still never feel comfortable stacking without several inches between the bottom of one bin and the lid of another period...so I'm thinking of conjuring up something to go on the lids when stacking that will look nice and not be too time-consuming. I'll take pics of course with anything new I make!

Hugs!

Amanda

Thanks, They worked well for me for many years. Just got into larger production with an increased collection and went witha rack system. Much less effort to care for the rack system vs individual cages.

Yes, that is 1/2" hardware cloth. As most will agree, works fine for rats, allows hopper mice to escape. Nice thing about 1/2" is it works well with "J" clips. Small aluminum "J"'s that with a special tool allow you to attach pieces together. If you look closely, you can see them around the food hopper and water bottle holders. They look like little tubes once crimped with the special tool.

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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC and still very fiesty)
0.2 kids (CBB, a big part of our selective breeding program)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
20.28 BRB
13.18 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

I use a rack system and i like it a lot. It holds 6 20x26x6" tubs with room for water bottles or gravity feed. It was only about a $100 to build and took me a couple hours. The tubs easily hold a 2.1 breeding colony and could also do a 3.1 ( i don't need this many though). The only draw back to this (and im sure this problem occurs with all racks) is when you open the tub they all try to climb out and it is harder to get the one you want. http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/rat_rack/ratrack.shtml this is the link for directions
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Courtney

Ball Pythons (Fluffy, Butter, Romeo, Juliet)
Red Tail Boas (Fred, Shakespeare)

If you put 2X4s between them, you would get better airflow and clear the water bottles. When you don't need the cage, the 2X4s would fit inside for storage.
DeMak