Housing Breeders?

So I want to breed some rats to supplement what I buy from others to feed my snakes and maybe someday produce all of my own food. I have kept rats in tubs before (not in a rack just a tub that I made a screen top for) however they ended up chewing through the plastic. What is the best way to house rats for breeding without worrying about them chewing through their enclosures?

May as well just build a rack...you can do a 4-5 level rack using cement tubs from Home Depot/Lowes for $70-80. Been using the same racks for 3+ years now without a single chew out.

Im in the same boat. I want to breed my own but dont have the space. I found metal cages at walmart for ten bucks that im going to use.

I built a small 4 level rat rack in order to house my few breeders. It doesn't take up much space and is very low maintenance. It holds a 6-8 weeks of food and water so the only thing I need to worry about is weekly bedding changes.

You can see pics and a building list for my 4 level rack here: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...k-is-finished!

Best way to house them in tubs ;)

The key to prevent chewing, adequate quality food, water (make sure your drinking valves are not clogged up) and something to chew on (I offer a piece of 2x4).

Cages and tanks are just a pain to clean IMO

I second (or third) the rack!! I have been producing my own food (at least 75%) fpr 4 yrs now. I have a 6 lvl rack and love it. I also use an automatic waterer. The whole water bottle thing got old quick!! I have 3 lvls of ask colonies (1.3) and then I have 4 mommy rats and one daddy rat. I also have never had a chew out. I also supplement the rodent block with cereal, oatmeal, fruit, veggies, pretty much anything healthy off our table. And they get to chew on wood pieces and recyclable egg cartons.

Thanks for all of the ideas guys! I was sent a link to a rat rack build that I will likely use however keep the ideas coming and I may decide that I like something else better! Adam - the build that I have is the same one in your link. Did you do the same thing with watering that the build suggested? I don't like the idea of the nozzles getting in the way of the tubs coming out.

Here's a picture of mine! And the water bottles where still on a couple of tub bc I wasnt sure the rats knew what to do ...lol
Sorry its not closer!!
http://i1115.photobucket.com/albums/...i/DSC_0719.jpg

Thanks for sharing! I am thinking that I will do 3 tubs at most , maybe only two, so I may just stick with bottles for watering. Would make the build far less complicated!

Thanks adam u just changed my mind about the cages.

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Originally Posted by gsarchie

Adam - the build that I have is the same one in your link. Did you do the same thing with watering that the build suggested? I don't like the idea of the nozzles getting in the way of the tubs coming out.

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With my rack I modified the design by adding a 2nd set of vertical legs. The rails that the tubs slide on attach to these legs rather than the ones at the front. That way the tub comes off the rails before the back of the tub hits the valve. With this design the valves for the water system do not interfere with the tubs at all. The 2nd set of legs also add additional structural stability.

For the water system I followed the RBI guide here: http://www.reptilebasics.com/edstrom-buying-guide
And here: http://www.reptilebasics.com/edstrom-installation

Quote:

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Originally Posted by amps daddy

Thanks adam u just changed my mind about the cages.

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Glad I could help!