Feed trough.. yes or no

I see that many of you just put your lab blocks right on top of the 1/2" wire. I started to do that with the first rack i built but decided to put v-shaped trough in the so the rats could get that the food easier... well i just built another rack for rats and was wondering if it is a wast of time putting the troughs in them and I am going to build a mouse rack as well and was wondering about them as well.. Do the rats/mice have a hard time getting at the blocks? I guess my biggest concern is them not getting enough food.

Let me know what you all think

thanks
chris

They do fine pulling the food down from above as long as they can reach it and as long as the mesh allows it.

That said, if the V-shape in tub design works for you and you like it, then why not? :D ;)

-adam

The only problem I have with just flat mesh is the food getting pushed to the sides, above the lip of the tubs, and not being accessible.

However setting each section up like this eliminates that problem.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...p/ratrack3.jpg

In addition to sectioning the food the extra wood helps to stabalize and strengthen that level.

The only problem I see with a trough, especially with mice, is that gives them a place to escape from you.

Bryan