easy Mouse diy drawer rack(walk in closet)

[baller29]

About a month ago, I decided I wanted to breed mice and didnt have a lot of space, so I went ahead and built this space saving rack after I got sick of traveling 25 miles out of my way for mice. First I started out with 2 steralite 3 drawer units. (about 17 bucks at your local Wal-Mart) Any larger size can be used depending on the number of mice you want to breed.








I used plain old computer paper and measured 2'' X 8.5'', making marks every half inch and intersecting them to form a grid.






Tape the grid to the front and back of the drawer(you cant use the same sheet so its just good to just make 8 grids or however many you need for the drawers you are using.) Next drill at the intersecting lines on the grid.




Next stack the units together, take off the top and they lock together, I swapped the small drawers so that they were together. I use one small drawer for storage (new water bottles, mouse food, hides, toilet paper tubes, ect) and the other i keep empty to put my mice in when i clean there drawers. I use the large ones for breeding.



Add you substrate and add water bottles or a water system and that's it, like i said, you can use any size for spacial needs.

[WakoNako]

Looks good, nice and simple too.

Is there not a risk of the mice escaping?

[baller29]

Ive used it for about a month and none got out yet, I do think it could use a lid of some sort on the bins.(I think I have some extra screening somewhere around here,lol)

[suzuki4life]

keep them cleaned out or the ammonia smell will build quick.

[baller29]

Ive been cleaning it religiously about every 3 days changing substrate and such, I really dont wait for any ammonia smell because my sniffers broken.lol I also use other tubs in conjunction with this one.

[suzuki4life]

I would guess if you figure up expenses a rack would pay off over this design but would probably take time. The wire mesh is somewhat expensive. But your design will cost you more in food loss and probably bedding if you are changing bedding every three days.

[baller29]

I probably dont have to change it as often as I do but im just a stickler for changing the bedding too often, Its kinda compulsive. lol. I do the same with my other animals, lol. I kinda just wanted to try this to see were it went, cause I love DIY's, I think I might go alot bigger next time.

[steveboos]

Mice are the kings and queens of chewing over time. They aren't aggressive chewers, but they will slowly chew anything they can. With as thin as those are, make sure to check for any chewing, cause once they start, they don't stop untill they get out. I had to cull my first female rats cause they were tub chewers and their babies inhereited the gene so i had to start from fresh.

Some mice are and some mice aren't chewers, but generally, they all do it somewhat.

[baller29]

Thanks for the tip, Ill have to keep an eye on that.