Redneck Rat Ramada

They aren't pretty but work very well. 106 quart sterlites with hardware cloth wired to the top of the lid for ventilation. A wire rodent block feeder. I do need to upgrade to a larger water bottle on my rat boxes I have 3 colonies at 1.2 and mice colonies as well.

Bob, those are very close to the rat and mouse boxes we had. My hubbie riveted the hardware cloth on the top. I do know the young rats and mice can jump up there and walk around upside down. I would make sure there no gaps. Those were my favorite tubs. Oh! we also put air holes inthe sides.

Yes the other ones have holes in the sides also, havn't done this one yet. the wire is "sewn" on with baling wire i didn't think of rivets. thank you for the good idea.

Nice. I use the 92qt bins as they're longer, but still have plenty of space for the rats to stand up and romp around. A lot of the height you have looks wasted, but I don't give mine wheels (too expensive, a danger, bad for their backs, ect).

Ours are similar as well. We have one much larger for the papa rat and any females not pregnant. We use the "smaller" totes, like you have there, for our mamas & babies, and to keep the smaller ones separated after we sex them. We have 3 with moms/pups right now, and 1 with mice.

Hey Bob:

My 2 cents...

I cut the holes in the lids all the way around the inner outline. I think your opening is too small. You could also cut vent holes lower for the ammonia to escape. The vent holes could be the size of the ones you have on top now. You may not smell anything but the rodents can at floor level.

I hang the plastic water bottles on the inside for mice and rats so I can raise or lower them if there's babies in the tub. The ASF's get glass bottles. I tried the outside hole but I didn't like not being able to move the bottles.

I use suet bird feeders for my food hoppers so I don't have to waste time making them. The holes are 1/2" square which everyone can use. I hang the feeder from the side of the tub using coat hanger wire. I keep it high for adults and lower it when there's babies. I keep it off the ground so they don't pee on it.

I made extra tubs so that when I'm cleaning I can just move everyone once, from dirty tub to clean. Then I clean the dirty tub and move the next batch over.

My best advice is to not waste any more time or money on tubs and make yourself a rack. I went through the process in baby steps and eventually made the wood racks with self-watering system. So much easier, cleaner and cheaper. And it takes up a lot less room.

Good luck.

Yes thank you I will make the changes to make them better for the rats, anything to up the yield of pups. I harvested 65 this week and about 40 mouse pinks and fuzzies.
The pups usually don't remain long enough to drink water or eat solid food. But I do like the idea of better ventilation for them especially since the weather is getting warmer.
thanks all