rat cage questions

[Sunny1]

I just have a few questions. My kids and I were at the petstore today and just happened to be looking at some of the large small critter cages, mainly the ones used for ferrets, rabbits and guinea pigs. I was wondering about the bar spacing on these, I am not exactly sure what the measurement are in between the bars and some of the measurements may be different depending upon the particular brand anyway. I would really love to get my rat kids into a much bigger more open cage similar to something like one of these, but was wondering if I would need to put some extra wiring around the outside to prevent any of the rat kids from squeezing out. And what type of wire would you use for this type of prevention?? Hardware cloth?? I was also wondering if anyone has used a ferret enclosure that has the tubes for ferrets.. are these tubes too big for rats to climb into or would they be okay for rats?? My daughter saw one of these today and really wants us to get one that has tubes and such already connected on the outside. Here is a link to one that is similar to the one that my daughter saw (not the exact same though, but the tubes look like they are the same size as the one that we saw) and as far as some of the non tubed cages I was looking at, the bars are basically the same as the one in the link.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...amily&keepsr=1

Thanks in advance for any responses!!!

[Argentra]

Well, I had one of that type of cage for a guinea pig that I then found a new home for and converted the cage for rats. And yes, I did have to put the hardware cloth, 1/2", over the wire. It was NOT the easiest to clean, I'll just say that. Now, after the wondrous tax refund, I have a Ferret Nation two level cage for my girls:



The 1/2" hardware cloth is held on with bolts/washers/wingnuts and secured at the edges. This cage is wonderful and much easier to clean than the old one.
If you do get one of those rabbit, G.Pig, ferret cages...the bar spacing is usually a bit wide and I would cover it just to be on the safe side.

[frankykeno]

1/2 inch hardware cloth keeps rats in so if those bars aren't more than 1/2" it should be fine for adult rats. I wouldn't trust it for babies but I don't think you breed your pet rats do you? I think I've seen a similar cage to the link you posted at a local pet store and it looked fine for adult rats.