ok, got my small colony started

hi, so i did not build the rack that i really wanted because HD did not have the mortar tubs in stock but no big deal, i'll get them eventually. instead i build a rat tub just like joanna from the DIY section that really caught my attention. we bought some mazuri also we just picked up a nice 1.2 pair of young ones. i will be building a second tub this weekend and hopefully a rack soon. here are some pics.
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...4/DSCN0820.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...4/DSCN0824.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...4/DSCN0833.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...4/DSCN0834.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...4/DSCN0850.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/f...4/DSCN0848.jpg

Awwww. They are so cute.

That kind of setup is very nice for smaller breeding projects. When/if you get bigger, though, you will want a rack system.

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Originally Posted by kc261

Awwww. They are so cute.

That kind of setup is very nice for smaller breeding projects. When/if you get bigger, though, you will want a rack system.

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thank you. That's what we said about their cuteness...LOL. I'm still going to build a small rack, i just have to get the mortar tubs. i'll problably be checking HD every weekend.

i checked HD and they didnt have the size i wanted. so i headed over to lowes, which is right across the street(talk about competition!!!) and they had three different sizes. you might wanna check lowes out if there is one in your area!

I don't know if you care, but if you don't put a lid on your food hopper they will climb inside of it.

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Originally Posted by tomfromtheshade

I don't know if you care, but if you don't put a lid on your food hopper they will climb inside of it.

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Yes, they will, and even if there is a lid, they'll still climb on top of it and pee and poo while they are sitting up there and soil the food. That is why it is best to have a food hopper that is outside the cage, like all the pics of racks with the food simply piled on top of each tub.

However, this hopper will still limit how quickly the food gets soiled, and prevent it from getting lost in the bedding, so it is still better than the food just being lose. The rats might decide to climb in the hopper, and carry the food out to "store" it elsewhere, in which case, a lid would need to be added.

So cute! I have a two tubs set up like that and a small rack for individual moms. I LOVE having those tubs because I throw several breeders in one tub for a few weeks, and throw a couple litters, about the same age, into the other tub to run around and grow up.

Thanks everyone. i did see them sneaking out food, LOL, i'm going to put a cover on it. also i just realized that there's a Lowes 5 minutes from the HD i went to. i'm trying to find the correct dims so i can start to build my rack, hopfully this weekend

Check out this link.................

http://www.southtexasreptiles.com/st...ead.php?t=3318

I have followed this design for my rat rack and they come out perfect. Every single measurement is there for you.

Just thought this would help!!

im planning on doing this exact same thing for my mouse/rat containers. it looks so cool & its budget-friendly. the only thing i wont do is the food holder.