bins for RAT/MOUSE Rack question????

[hype1108]

What are the best bins to use for a rack I am designing. I am wanting to house breeders, a place to hold the babies and the mom, I am also going to want to have holding bins as well. I am looking for the best bins to use and maybe a number of each in a good ratio.

I have 30 snakes and want to keep them all fed. I also have a deep freeze to store f/t. How many rats will I need to produce to keep up does anyone know.

Help with this would be much appreciated. Any pictures are of help too.

I am trying to produce the MOST efficient and best rack there is.

Also another question: Can you and does anyone keep there rats on recycled newspaper that is shredded??

[suzuki4life]

Most efficient is the 3x2 tubs from Home Depot. Run 1.8 in them. Yank pregnant females and put them in a birthing rack made from the large litter pans.

newspaper is one of the worst beddings you can dream of.

[adamjeffery]

i use concrete mixing tubs that i got from home depot. not sure on the size. i keep 1.3 in them but i also raise the babies in with the adults. if your going to build a larger rack that has a grow out tub then i see no reason why you couldnt follow the other posters advice and do 1.8 and pull prego females before they pop.
adam jeffery
i use pine shavings from tractor supply. like 6 bucks a bale. also i have 34 snakes, i have 1 5 level rack with 1.3 adults per tub, 1 ten gallon tank with 1.2 and 2 lab cages with 1.2 and 1.3 . i get enough production to feed my animals and on occasion extra to sell to the pet store for extra money for rat food. i would like to build another rack and that would put my production where i would like it.
adam jeffery

[hype1108]

Thank you this helps. Is there anything to use other then mixing tubs? I would like something clear or translucent. I will check my tractor supply and see there pricing. I just want to use bins efficiently and not have too big of bins where they are not needed. THe more advice the better.

thanks for your posts

[adamjeffery]

the problem with the clear or translucent tubs is they are normally made out of either thinner or less dense plastics. the concrete mixing tubs are black but they are very durable. i havnt had any rats chew on the tubs yet. from those that have been using them that i have talked to, said they have never had a chew through because the contour dosnt allow the rats to get the chewing started.
they truly are better and the only benefit you would have is that YOU could see them. if that is truly that important then you can use 10 gallon aquariums and build a rack type system to hold them. but let me tell you i only have 1 tank still up and going and cant wait till i build another rack to get rid of it. they are a pain to clean a pain to water and the rats waste so much food compared to racks.
id just use the concrete tubs if i were you.
adam jeffery

[suzuki4life]

pull your tubs out to look at them. Side view will be misleading.

here's plans.

http://www.rodentracks.com/Large-Tub-Rat-Rack.html

Mine are 6 high.


Add wheels!!!!!

[jasbus]

Most efficient is the 3x2 tubs from Home Depot. Run 1.8 in them. Yank pregnant females and put them in a birthing rack made from the large litter pans.

newspaper is one of the worst beddings you can dream of.

Ditto this....
I run 1.6-1.8 in my tubs, pull the females the week before they pop, sometimes run 2 females in a nursery tub.

[snakesRkewl]

Clear or translucent rat tubs, now that's a new one on me

So you can see the poop build up on the bottoms?
So you can watch male rats chase their female friends?
Just curious why see-through tubs?
,

[hype1108]

I say clear or see through just because it let's more light in so I can see through the top. I had two six stack of the mixing tubs and just couldn't look in the too of the tubs and see tue whole thing so I had to pull eAch one out to look call me lazy maybe but just seeing if there were see through ones, didn't know. So what size bins do you run your nursery in? The same tubs? I'm trying to be space efficient as well as accomplish what I'm wanting to do. I'd really like to weld a rack up and make it look good. The wood ones seem easy just don't look as nice to me. I am kind of particular though.

[hype1108]

Would 10"w by 19 deep by 6-8"tall be good enough bins for rats? If so what ratio could I run in each bin?