Umm concrete pan has a hole

[rhsm]

Hi all we just got back and bought everything for a 6 pan rack but the cement pans/tubs we bought from Homedepot have a hole in one of the side lips which would either be the front or back. I think its so it can be hung up or something but I am just wondering if any of you all have this same pan or have they changed them?

I told hubby I wasn't sure if they could chew it from there or not so would really appreciate help on this cause I would hate to have a bunch of rats loose in my house esp since my kitties would LOVE that.

Look forward to hearing back from you all soon.
Thanks
rhsm
Ps Thank you so very much for all the input on my other many questions really really appreciate it.

[nixer]

Hi all we just got back and bought everything for a 6 pan rack but the cement pans/tubs we bought from Homedepot have a hole in one of the side lips which would either be the front or back. I think its so it can be hung up or something but I am just wondering if any of you all have this same pan or have they changed them?

I told hubby I wasn't sure if they could chew it from there or not so would really appreciate help on this cause I would hate to have a bunch of rats loose in my house esp since my kitties would LOVE that.

Look forward to hearing back from you all soon.
Thanks
rhsm
Ps Thank you so very much for all the input on my other many questions really really appreciate it.

thats the new tubs that homedepot is switching to i have some and thought the same thing. i tired one but nothing got out so far

[Beardedragon]

So far the hole provides no problems for the rats, if the rack is built right they will not even be able to get to it.

[Dave763]

The tubs I found are working good so far.If and when i get a chew out, I'll post back.

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=85898

[rhsm]

Well hubby is using Clay Davenports instructions on

http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/rat_rack/ratrack.shtml

only I think he is going to use 1/2 x 1/2 wire because we already have some and use 2 x 4s for main frame.
But I assume the home depot pan with hole would be fine with this.
Hes also going to re enforce the bottoms with slats just to be safe like Clay advises.

I might have him just build a 5 pan one as I am not so sure about the 6th one being so high. I think it might be hard to get into even with a little step ladder but I will check it out and we will decide.

Hubbys making me take it slow so he is only building one rack right now and I will get a pan or two of ASFs and then have a pan for male rats and then fill what I have left up with groups of 2 or 3 females. I plan to get smaller ones so that I can handle them and make them at least hand friendly so it will proably be a few months before I can even think of breeding and then I will have him make me another rack at least to hold babies once we are at that point.
I think I am going to try keeping the females together to start with and see how it goes and if I really get into it I will have him build me a maternity ward rack. Gota go baby steps.
Its hard for me as I go in full throttle usually so we will see.

Well once again I sooooo very much appreciate all the input and help you guys have given me.
Soooo Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
rhsm

[ThyTempest]

The hole will probably be fine with rats, but you could glue a washer to at least the inside if you are worried about it.
Also, ASF's require 1/4" cloth, so this rack won't work out for them, or mice. Also, the larger sipper valves, if you go that route, will probably be too big for ASF weanlings, which are very tiny.

5 tubs high is not a bad idea, but just keep in mind, vertical space is always the cheapest and easiest space to use, since nothing else could go there. Ours is 6 high and yes, we do need a stepladder to really do much with the top one. I can pull it out, but if I want to just look in, I need the ladder.

Something else to keep in mind is potential harrasment from other animals in the bottom tub or two. Our cats love to just sit there and stare at the rats, which doesnt really bother us, but one of our more dextrous dogs not only eats the rat food, he managed to pull out and get in the bottom tub of our rack. Mom with her 14 babies was freaking out with Shih Tzu Gizmo ruining day.

[Snake Daddy Reptiles]

I've seen the plans for the rack youre talking about before, but I havent seen the new tubs with the hole.
Anyway, I breed rats, and I'm telling you straight from my experience- of there's an edge to chew on, it will get chewed on. If theres a hole, they'll make it bigger. I'd patch it with whatever you can the best you can and keep an eye on it. If it starts to get bigger dont tell yourself that theyre gonna stop chewing on it, make sure they stop chewing on it. I had a rat chew through a critter cage wire top one time and I can tell you that it wasnt fun searching for 7-10 rats at 2am in the cold... lol.

But if what BeardedDragon said is right, ...if it's built right and they cant get to it, then dont worry about it.

[monk90222]

Well hubby is using Clay Davenports instructions on

http://www.arbreptiles.com/cages/rat_rack/ratrack.shtml

only I think he is going to use 1/2 x 1/2 wire because we already have some and use 2 x 4s for main frame.
But I assume the home depot pan with hole would be fine with this.
Hes also going to re enforce the bottoms with slats just to be safe like Clay advises.

I might have him just build a 5 pan one as I am not so sure about the 6th one being so high. I think it might be hard to get into even with a little step ladder but I will check it out and we will decide.

Hubbys making me take it slow so he is only building one rack right now and I will get a pan or two of ASFs and then have a pan for male rats and then fill what I have left up with groups of 2 or 3 females. I plan to get smaller ones so that I can handle them and make them at least hand friendly so it will proably be a few months before I can even think of breeding and then I will have him make me another rack at least to hold babies once we are at that point.
I think I am going to try keeping the females together to start with and see how it goes and if I really get into it I will have him build me a maternity ward rack. Gota go baby steps.
Its hard for me as I go in full throttle usually so we will see.

Well once again I sooooo very much appreciate all the input and help you guys have given me.
Soooo Thank You, Thank You, Thank You
rhsm

i believe that the plans for the rack on clay davenports site are for cement pans that were bought at Lowe's. these are different pans from the Home Depot ones. The lowes pans are shorter....the Home Depot pans will stick out from the rack unless you measure the tubs and adjust the plans accordingly....

[nixer]

if you are going to put asfs in a few of them just make an insert with 1/4 inch mesh to put on top of the 1/2

[deathadder1069]

I just finished building my 2nd rack and those tubs threw me off a bit but not much. As for the hole its out of the reach of the rats so no prob. My next rack will be mice rack...hopefully tomorrow.