Just so the shavings aren't green(not dry-still alive) or aren't pine, then I say that's an awesome deal. If it is pine, then you may be setting youself up for some serious respiratory issues on down the road. The phenols in pine can be very rough on their lungs. Is it dusty? I'm sorry, I just don't want your rats to have continuous myco flare-ups from being exposed to pine. I know my wallet hates vet bills just as much as the next person.

I would have loved to see that cage. Tunnels all around the room sounds awesome. Probably heck to clean though. Eeew, boy rat piddle. Speaking of pee, tanks are ok to use(we used 10 gallons for when Harry and Lloyd each had babies, and to house them in-we used a 30gallon), but I'd be wary using them for boy rats. They seem to have alot more ammonia in their pee, and it can really build up. Sorry! It's the vet tech in me, I can't help it! :-D

I haven't found any branches outside that I want to use... Not to mention my oven isn't big enough to bake them in, but anyway. I'd probably end up finding the "perfect" branch, but it would still be attached to the tree... Meaning I would have to "ACTUALLY" exert some energy and cut it down. Jeez, all for rats. The things we go through for them.

What I found that they really love is shop towels. I found a pack of 75 of them at Sam's Club for $10. I even made hammocks out of them so in case they decided to shred them, oh well. OK, I'm done rambling.