Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I don't have quite enough cash to get a "real" breeding rack system, but trying to wash out four 10 gal tanks gets exausting...so I am thinking of using one of the drawer systems (like from Wal-Mart), so I can just take the mice out and dump all the crap right into the garbage, and them wash them in the tub since the plastic will be light weight and I won't have to worry about any glass breaking. Anyone use these? My biggest concern is the problem with mice chewing through the plastic... Just wondered how many people use these and if there have been any escapees in the process. Any input would be great. Thanks.

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~Laura

Rejoice, the age of the fall has begun
We'll dance as the palaces burn.
--Lamb of God, As the Palaces Burn

Unless they're completely smooth inside, they will chew through. Besides,how will supply food and water?

Just make yourself a small rodent rack using cat litter pans. You can make it as small or big as you want, 3 tubs, 6 tubs, whatever you need.

>>I don't have quite enough cash to get a "real" breeding rack system, but trying to wash out four 10 gal tanks gets exausting...so I am thinking of using one of the drawer systems (like from Wal-Mart), so I can just take the mice out and dump all the crap right into the garbage, and them wash them in the tub since the plastic will be light weight and I won't have to worry about any glass breaking. Anyone use these? My biggest concern is the problem with mice chewing through the plastic... Just wondered how many people use these and if there have been any escapees in the process. Any input would be great. Thanks.

I think you will find that mice in those drawers will sit on the rim and chew out. Chew the divider, between drawers,or escape out the back. The drawers are good for Gex, feed, or mealworms. But I would stick with tubs with less to chew and screen top them so the mice can't sit and chew.
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Sonya

Haven't we warned you about tampering with the structure of a chaotic system?
Mrs. Neutron

I agree with Sonya. I've had good luck using plastic sweater boxes. They were about 5 bucks at Walmart. Also, they have a great water bottle / holder combo thats pretty cheap too. You'll need plenty of ventillation. I used a soldering iron. To prevent climbing / chewing, I've rigged the water bottle on the outside of the cage so that just the nozzle is on the inside. Works great!

Those units have been used before for mice...about a year or so ago now. The thread may be buried somewhere. If i recall correctly, they worked fairly well but there was mouse movement between the shelves, though no actual escapes. A male then females started moving from one shelf to the other and breeding. OR was it the mice forum at the exotic pet site...

I have kept mice before without problems of mice chewing holes in regular sterlite containers, with screen covering holes in the lids. But I have had instances where mice climbed up the waterbottle (which was hanging inside with wire) and managing to get out that way..but I think I wasn't using screen over the top at that time. Finaly I put the lids back on and cut large openings in the lid and covered with screen.

If there are no sharp corners or ridges inside, the mice didn't have anywhere to chew.