1/4" Mesh?

[EvergladesExotics]

So I'm getting ready to build another rack for my rats. I am thinking about using 1/4" mesh instead of the 1/2" mesh that I used on the first one. Reasons are as follows,

If I want to put some ASFs in there temporarily I can
If I switch to auto watering, the sippers fit nicely in the mesh and the tubing can not be pulled through the holes and chewed.
It's a hell of a lot easier to cut for the building process
It's less expensive

So those are my pros to the 1/4". BUT the do or die question is, will the rats grow as fast and be able to eat as well with this mesh? Thanks for any and all imput on this subject

[Redneck_Crow]

My only question is would the rats be able to get to their food through the 1/4 inch stuff? That is the only reason I could see where the size of the mesh might possibly influence how they grow.

I haven't kept ASFs, so I don't know if they can escape through 1/2 inch mesh. Obviously, if they can that is what you would have to go with if you are going to build for them.

All of the 1/4 inch mesh I've been able to find locally is 23 gauge. Personally, I don't trust it with rats because it feels flimsy. But I haven't tried it to know if it works or not for them. I'm using 19 gauge in my rat boxes and so far so good, and I've seen them trying to gnaw out and it isn't working out for them.

I haven't had too much trouble cutting the 1/2" 19 gauge. I got myself a good heavy set of sidecutters and they go through the stuff pretty easy. I wouldn't want to try it with a cheap set, though.

[SquamishSerpents]

i gave up on putting food on top of the mesh, i just throw it directly into the bins now.

the ASF's can definitely get the food, not sure about regular rats though.

[RichsBallPythons]

Nope you can NOT use 1/4 mesh... Their teeth will not get the food and you will hear them SCREAM when teeth get stuck.

I have 1/4 on my grow out tub and even the wean/small rats at times get their teeth stuck. Its not a pleasant sound at all

[SlitherinSisters]

You can't feed them through the 1/4 and you are just wasting food if you put it in the tub. I would just make a couple for the ASFs -they cannot go in 1/2 inch.

[RichsBallPythons]

You can't feed them through the 1/4 and you are just wasting food if you put it in the tub. I would just make a couple for the ASFs -they cannot go in 1/2 inch.

Hopper ASF will walk right though 1/2in cloth. Witnessed it one morning with 50 of them hopping around room.

[MikeM75]

I think some folks miss a great thing about 1/4" hardware cloth, you can cut it to be the 1/2". If you make a hopper in the front of the rack and make the front part 1/2" and the rest of it 1/4" that would be fine. BUT I would definately not do 1/4" only to hold the food, may make a few rats hungry that way.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

[RichsBallPythons]

I think some folks miss a great thing about 1/4" hardware cloth, you can cut it to be the 1/2". If you make a hopper in the front of the rack and make the front part 1/2" and the rest of it 1/4" that would be fine. BUT I would definately not do 1/4" only to hold the food, may make a few rats hungry that way.

Best of luck whatever you decide.

No one missed that. Thats how my racks were setup, and my mice and ASF walked right on out over night when they ate the food in one area. Thus exposing the screen to climb right on out.

[Rhasputin]

I use half inch mesh, and have no problems with ASFs getting through it. By the time they're old enough to reach the mesh, they're too big to fit through it.

Also, if you're worried about them being able to eat through it, just toss it in the bin on the litter. That's really the most efficient way of feeding.

[RichsBallPythons]

I use half inch mesh, and have no problems with ASFs getting through it. By the time they're old enough to reach the mesh, they're too big to fit through it.

Also, if you're worried about them being able to eat through it, just toss it in the bin on the litter. That's really the most efficient way of feeding.

I stopped breeding them cause of them getting out. I had to redo the racks. Once their eyes opened and they could hop and crawl on the screen, they found the hole and got out.