Standard Cage Set-up

My adult rats are kept in MidWest Critter Nation cages. I find these reliable and sturdy cages for permanent homes and they house a decent number of rats. Critter Nations have the added bonus of stacking units together and also being able to take the doors off for easier cleaning. My cages are filled with a variety of hammocks, ropes, ledges, general fall breakers. All cages have litter trays and where beneficial, a tic tac wheel (typically 16" to accommodate large bucks). I like to keep a lot of the floor space in my cages clear. This is so the rats have ample space to play and generally run about as well as a large space for foraging.

Maternity Cage Set-up

My does typically litter in an Alaska hamster cage (80x50cm). Initially the set up is bare so the mother can focus on the kittens in the first two weeks before weaning, then I add in a hammock, several ledges, ropes, a 12" wheel and some chew toys. Litters are split depending on health and size of kittens between 4.5 - 5 weeks of age.

Temporary Cages

These cover kitten cages before homing out after splitting the sexes, hospital cages and intro cages. I use the following:

• Show tanks (Ferplast Nettuno XL with a custom wire mesh lid), I use these as a carrier, for some first stage intros and for giving medications as well as their intended show use.
• Pets at Home hamster cages various sizes, for intros and hospital cages. In some instances an unsettled mother may require a smaller space to focus on her litter for a week or so.
• Alaska hamster cages for maternity as mentioned above, hospital, introductions.
• Ferplast Furet Plus cages for last stage introductions depending on group size, kittens cage pre-homing, temporary isolation cages pre-neuter if needed or temporary accommodation during holidays.

Where space allows, all cages are furnished appropriately for the required use.

Alaska cage, used for birthing, kitten cage and a hospital cage. Kitted out here as a first kitten cage.

One of my Double Midwest Critter Nation (DCN) cages set up for one of my doe groups.