Going to Start breeding

[suzuki4life]

terrible venting...

big mess in the making...

build a real rack.

[MitsuMike]

terrible venting...

big mess in the making...

build a real rack.

Explain? Venting is the same on both sides and has more ventilation than the systems I have seen.
If it's going to be a big mess I would like to know why atleast.

[MitsuMike]

I'm not trying to shoot down or ignore not using this rack but I have no tools or anything and only have the tools available at short intervals, not for projects, now that I'm back at school and not living with my parents who have all the tools.
Hint's why I am trying to find an alternative solution to my problem.

If this really legitly won't work plz tell me b/c I really don't want rats running around my place.
So far I have:
Use this rack only 2 high (2 tubs) wire mesh over the vent holes. Bungie cord around each tub (tight) so not even a boa could get out of it.
From my perspective it looks to be a escape proof, small free rack that houses a small population of rats (6).
Chime in with comments or concerns plz

[suzuki4life]

Explain? Venting is the same on both sides and has more ventilation than the systems I have seen.
If it's going to be a big mess I would like to know why atleast.

if you make an inner basket of wire mesh it will stop them from chewing out the sides.....

but it won't stop them from pushing their bedding out

My rats push their bedding over the top of their tubs somehow....


So once they start pushing their urine soaked bedding out the sides, it will restrict air flow...

You would need a litter dam of some sort....but then you would restrict your air flow...

a catch 22.

[MitsuMike]

if you make an inner basket of wire mesh it will stop them from chewing out the sides.....

but it won't stop them from pushing their bedding out

My rats push their bedding over the top of their tubs somehow....


So once they start pushing their urine soaked bedding out the sides, it will restrict air flow...

You would need a litter dam of some sort....but then you would restrict your air flow...

a catch 22.

I'm not worried about the bedding thing. They will be in a place idc about so it's all good. Also I''ll be checking them everyday so I can fix it if they do push it up.
Thanks for explaining.

[kc261]

Any edge that the rats can get their teeth around, they are likely to chew. Although fixing the front of the drawer is a relatively easy fix with some hardware cloth, what about the other sides?

When the unit is closed, what do the sides and back look like inside that outer shell? I've seen similar units that the rodents wouldn't even have to chew out of, they could just jump out of the drawer. Something that is designed to hold clothes or similar items is not likely to have all the drawers sealed enough to keep rodents in.

Although it is possible this will work, I'm afraid it is very likely that it won't, and then you'll have a disaster with loose rats everywhere. Even if it appears to work for a while, you might eventually get a rat that is more prone to chewing, or a day when they are hungry because you didn't put in quite enough food, or it might gradually warp & sag over time. I'm sure you'd be happier in the long run if you built a proper rack. If the lack of tools really makes that impossible, you could make tubs like the ones in this thread:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56321

[MitsuMike]

Any edge that the rats can get their teeth around, they are likely to chew. Although fixing the front of the drawer is a relatively easy fix with some hardware cloth, what about the other sides?

When the unit is closed, what do the sides and back look like inside that outer shell? I've seen similar units that the rodents wouldn't even have to chew out of, they could just jump out of the drawer. Something that is designed to hold clothes or similar items is not likely to have all the drawers sealed enough to keep rodents in.

Although it is possible this will work, I'm afraid it is very likely that it won't, and then you'll have a disaster with loose rats everywhere. Even if it appears to work for a while, you might eventually get a rat that is more prone to chewing, or a day when they are hungry because you didn't put in quite enough food, or it might gradually warp & sag over time. I'm sure you'd be happier in the long run if you built a proper rack. If the lack of tools really makes that impossible, you could make tubs like the ones in this thread:
http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=56321

THANKS ALOT! That is what I was thinking about last night but everyone else had the tops with the mesh on it never thought about the sides.
But I don't have the room for that big of a tub, haha. I will down grade to the 32 qt tubs (the ones at target are more tall than long) and just do the same thing and have a 1.2 rats. Sounds like less work to and don't have have worry about chewing and escaping.

[MitsuMike]

Just read that the better plastic keeps from chew outs so I'm going to stick with the big tubs.

[tomfromtheshade]

The only tools that you need to build a rack are as follows:

1 power drill w/ a counter sink bit and a phillips head bit
1 staple gun w/ staples
1 90 degree corner clip
1 pair tin snips

That is ALL you need to build a rack. Just get the wood cut at Home Depot when you buy it.

You will be WAAAAAY better off in the long run.

[Vader6]

Rack would be better