My Rat Rack (DUW)

Hey guys I just wanted to show you my rat set up, here we go!

Here’s an angled view of it. It is nine 54q sterilite tubs, on an old plant rack.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2087.jpg

Different angle
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2088.jpg

Because it’s a plant rack, its got overhead fluorescent lights build right in, which are a big help when filling hoppers, water bottles, and looking for new litters!
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2089.jpg

Here is my little supply corner beside the rack.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2091.jpg

In the corner I have a trash can full of pine.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2092.jpg

I also have my supply of Mazuri 6F rodent diet.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2093.jpg

I keep the food in this tote.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2094.jpg

Here’s what it looks like.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2095.jpg

Here’s a close-up and size comparison to my hand.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2096.jpg

I also have a box full of these cardboard tubes. My dad works at a car factory, and these tubes are the core of some roll of labels used in the manufacturing process, every day when he gets home from work he brings me a handful of these tubes. They are great for the rats to hide in, and to shred to make their nests.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2102.jpg

Here is a close up of one of the tubs. I cut out a piece of the lid, and replaced it with a piece of ½” hardware cloth. It is held in place with zip ties.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2097.jpg

For water, I use 200ml Living World rodent water bottles.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2103.jpg

To mount them on the tub, I melt a hole for the sipper, and two holes for the wire hanger. This set-up has worked very well for me for 8-10 months, and to date I have had absolutely ZERO chewing on these holes, or elsewhere in the tub for that matter. Also I have vanilla in the water to cut down on urine odour.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2105.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2106.jpg

Here’s a top shot of one of the tubs, you can see the cardboard tubes, and the feed hopper.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2098.jpg

Here’s a couple shots of the feed hopper. It is a 6”x 2”x 9” basket made from ½” hardware cloth.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2099.jpg
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2100.jpg

Litter shot, just for fun! You can see how they shred the tube and build a nest.
http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/b...k/IMGP2101.jpg

And I just wanted to let you guys know what my ideal plan for this rack will be in the future, although I do not have it set up like this at the moment. The three tubs on the top level, as well as two on the middle level, will all have 1.4. The last tub in the middle will be a bachelor pad where all the males can have a nice rest. The bottom three tubs will grow tubs.

Lastly I just wanted to give credit to Chris (Uncle Festae) for many of the ideas and methods I use here. Thanks for looking!

Looking good, I would comment though that you have TOO much vanilla in the water. It shouldnt really change color at all, a small drop goes a long way. Otherwise, fantastic set up :gj:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Looking good, I would comment though that you have TOO much vanilla in the water. It shouldnt really change color at all, a small drop goes a long way. Otherwise, fantastic set up :gj:

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Thats what I was going to say!

Also I have my water bottles setup exactly like you have and have had 0 chewing as well.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Looking good, I would comment though that you have TOO much vanilla in the water. It shouldnt really change color at all, a small drop goes a long way. Otherwise, fantastic set up :gj:

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Now that you say that, it does really look like I have alot in there, but really it's only a few drops, maybe its just because of how small the bottle is? Nevertheless they are doing fine and have been for a long time. I will try to put less in though.

In a month or so I am going to build a rat rack and i was actually wanting to make a food hopper for inside.

Your pictures just gave me a solution to my problem! Thank you so much!

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Originally Posted by Pwilliams58

Now that you say that, it does really look like I have alot in there, but really it's only a few drops, maybe its just because of how small the bottle is? Nevertheless they are doing fine and have been for a long time. I will try to put less in though.

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Hey no problem, I just figured I say it if you didn't know. I'm just going off of my experience with vanilla making ice cream, vanilla coke, alcohol, and found out how bad it is when there is too much. But really, it looks like you came over to my house and stole my tubs! Very nearly the same set-up. ;)

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Hey no problem, I just figured I say it if you didn't know. I'm just going off of my experience with vanilla making ice cream, vanilla coke, alcohol, and found out how bad it is when there is too much. But really, it looks like you came over to my house and stole my tubs! Very nearly the same set-up. ;)

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Is there any sort of information that would show that too much vanilla is bad for the rats?

I know I had a male rat that had VERY pungent urine, I tried just a few drops of vanilla extract in his water bottle...it didn't do any good until I started to increase the ratio of vanilla to water.

Great pics! I love the food hopper design...:)

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Originally Posted by JBallPython

Is there any sort of information that would show that too much vanilla is bad for the rats?

I know I had a male rat that had VERY pungent urine, I tried just a few drops of vanilla extract in his water bottle...it didn't do any good until I started to increase the ratio of vanilla to water.

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Not so much that it's bad for them, but that it tastes horrible when there is too much. Did I not make that clear?

Rats will not drink something if they can barely stand the taste. Rats have very well developed senses of taste and like sweet things, but will refuse to drink water that tastes bad and will easily become dehydrated and sick. If you find it enjoyable, then chances are they will too (and love you for it).

Anyways, male rats do have a scent to them, but it shouldn't smell so strong that you get HAVE to put vanilla in the water to even breathe around them. That may be a clue there are other things going on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Not so much that it's bad for them, but that it tastes horrible when there is too much. Did I not make that clear?

Rats will not drink something if they can barely stand the taste. Rats have very well developed senses of taste and like sweet things, but will refuse to drink water that tastes bad and will easily become dehydrated and sick. If you find it enjoyable, then chances are they will too (and love you for it).

Anyways, male rats do have a scent to them, but it shouldn't smell so strong that you get HAVE to put vanilla in the water to even breathe around them. That may be a clue there are other things going on.

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Is it not true that people have different sensitivities to certain odors? Did I not make THAT clear?:rolleyes: But it must not have tasted too horrible to them...all my rats would drink their "cola" colored water with much more gusto than plain tap water.

To each their own...

Nice rack Peter!:gj:

I wasn't trying to be a smart ass, it was an honest question. When I re-read my post, I decided that it wasn't very clear.

But yes, rats with strong smelling urine can mean certain problems, or simply from diet. It would cause concern for me anyways. :shrugs:

One more thing, wouldnt they be drinking more cola colored vanilla water because the ratio of vanilla to water was too low to maintain healthy percentage of hydration? Or, rather, they drink more to get the same amount of water.

Very strong smelling urine can be an indicator of certain diseases such as diabetes, or that they are dehydrated. I know my male rats drink a literal buttload of water, but their wee doesn't smell all that bad(not that it smells GOOD mind you). Maybe he's not drinking as much as he should Jason? :confused:

I like the wire food holder how did you do this???

Quote:

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

One more thing, wouldnt they be drinking more cola colored vanilla water because the ratio of vanilla to water was too low to maintain healthy percentage of hydration? Or, rather, they drink more to get the same amount of water.

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It was only maybe 5ml of vanilla to a 20oz bottle mind you....doesn't take much to make it cola colored. I would consistantly refill his water bottle every two days. But just to end this, we'll say you're right....:rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

Very strong smelling urine can be an indicator of certain diseases such as diabetes, or that they are dehydrated. I know my male rats drink a literal buttload of water, but their wee doesn't smell all that bad(not that it smells GOOD mind you). Maybe he's not drinking as much as he should Jason? :confused:

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Or it was because I used aspen for my rats, doesn't mask the smell or urine too much. He was kept with two other males in a tub...

He was healthy as a horse, grew him out from a pup to a XL jumbo male... as far as food, he got Mazuri...

Need any more information?

Do you keep the lights on? Just during the day or 24/7? How big are your litters?

If the litters aren't all that big maybe the temps in the cages are higher than you think. Have you considered turning off, if they're kept on, one or more of the lights for a couple of months and seeing what if any difference there is in litter size?

Of course, with summer coming on, if you turn the lights of now you may just keep the temps the same with the weather warming up and all.

If you keep the room cooled though, it might be interesting to see if the heat from the lights makes any difference in litter size.

Thanks for the info.

I use aspen for my boys too, but all they smell like is food and Bar BQ, hehe. 6 boys in 1 cage, 4 in another, 2 in another, and one by himself. They all eat Mazuri too, the 9F. I dunno! Maybe you're just more sensitive to the smell than I am(I've done necropsies on dead dogs who have been in someone's trunk for 2 days in Texas summer, so I'm not bothered by alot, LMAO).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

I use aspen for my boys too, but all they smell like is food and Bar BQ, hehe. 6 boys in 1 cage, 4 in another, 2 in another, and one by himself. They all eat Mazuri too, the 9F. I dunno! Maybe you're just more sensitive to the smell than I am(I've done necropsies on dead dogs who have been in someone's trunk for 2 days in Texas summer, so I'm not bothered by alot, LMAO).

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I'd say you're less sensitive, blech!:8:

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Originally Posted by Hotshot

I like the wire food holder how did you do this???

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I bought 1/2" hardware cloth from home depot, and cut out pieces, bent them to shape, and presto! Instant food hopper.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wilomn

Do you keep the lights on? Just during the day or 24/7? How big are your litters?

If the litters aren't all that big maybe the temps in the cages are higher than you think. Have you considered turning off, if they're kept on, one or more of the lights for a couple of months and seeing what if any difference there is in litter size?

Of course, with summer coming on, if you turn the lights of now you may just keep the temps the same with the weather warming up and all.

If you keep the room cooled though, it might be interesting to see if the heat from the lights makes any difference in litter size.

Thanks for the info.

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I only have the lights on when I'm in the room doing maintainance. My litters range from 10-20 pinks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SatanicIntention

I've done necropsies on dead dogs who have been in someone's trunk for 2 days in Texas summer, so I'm not bothered by alot, LMAO

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:weirdface TMI!

***
Woo! I'm so excited! Rick is letting me start a rat colony. We cleaned up the garage a bit (where my mouse colony is located), bought some more shelving units and have started work on rat bins, based on the design here.

And and and I found a local feed store that sell Mazuri 6F! Yay!

Ratsers, here I come! :banana: