1/4" Mesh?

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 :)

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.

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.

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

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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.

---

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

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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.

---

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.

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.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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.

---

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.

Use 1/4" and cut the feeding area to 1/2". And when you need to put ASF's in the tub cut a piece of 1/4" to cover the feeding area so they dont get out of the 1/2". :D

Thanks for all the imput guys. I will be sticking with the 1/2" then for my new rat rack and keep my ASFs with the 1/4". So... what kind of tool can I get that is not very expensive but wont kill my hand while cutting this stuff? Nearly broke my wrist with this last rack using 1/2" and cutting with scissors and wire cutters... took forever and a day too...

This cuts through mesh like butter.

I just use wire cutters, as long as they're sharp it goes smoothly.

Thanks spitzu!!!!!

I use 1/4" mesh for my ASF tubs but made food hoppers out of 1/2 inch that go inside. Works like a charm...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 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.

---

You've obviously never had to cut a juvenile ASF in half to get them out of 1/2" screen.... Not fun.
Buy 1/3" screen, perfect for mice and ASF... Just have to buy it in 50' rolls...I use it on my s

As for cutting, get a carbon cutoff wheel for a skil saw, and just rip right through it after it's on the frames... Why waste time with snips or wire cutters???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jasbus

You've obviously never had to cut a juvenile ASF in half to get them out of 1/2" screen.... Not fun.
Buy 1/3" screen, perfect for mice and ASF... Just have to buy it in 50' rolls...I use it on my s

As for cutting, get a carbon cutoff wheel for a skil saw, and just rip right through it after it's on the frames... Why waste time with snips or wire cutters???

---

You're right. I've never had to, because it's never been a problem. Which is why I continue to use 1/2 inch mesh. My ASFs do not fit through it. They're only small enough to fit through when their eyes are still closed. By the time they open their eyes and are moving around, just their little noses fit through, their heads are too large.

We decided to design up a food dish that hangs over the side of a HD tub. Then we can use any type of mesh and not worry about rodents getting out.

http://microcontrol.mail.everyone.ne...X/IMAG0076.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rhasputin

You're right. I've never had to, because it's never been a problem. Which is why I continue to use 1/2 inch mesh. My ASFs do not fit through it. They're only small enough to fit through when their eyes are still closed. By the time they open their eyes and are moving around, just their little noses fit through, their heads are too large.

---

Ok. My 1/2" mesh must be a little bigger than yours...;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jasbus

Ok. My 1/2" mesh must be a little bigger than yours...;)

---

Or my ASFs are larger.

Sorry forgot to add photo to above post.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot...20959199_n.jpg

That's a really neat hopper! Looks a bit too hard for me to make on my patio though lolol

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MiamiRoyalPythons

That's a really neat hopper! Looks a bit too hard for me to make on my patio though lolol

---

For sure, it would be to hard on my patio also. We are having them made by a metal vendor.:)

Just showing everyone what we came up with to solve a feeding problem and maybe this will help someone else. Wanted to make something that would hold the food inside the tub and also be low enough to the bottom of the tub so that the babies could eat from it when they are ready.

You ever think of selling those? If I was breeding rodents in a regular rack I'd surely want to buy some of them.

If people are interested in them we can always order another batch. That would be cool to see our design help other people.

Same here with the ASF's and 1/2" we have never had a problem with the asf hoppers coming through.