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Homemade mouserack

D

denowt

New member
Just wanted to get some comments on my homemade mouserack. I built it by combining several ideas from this website on building rack systems for mice and snakes. The first pic is the entire rack. Right now I can only fit a total of 8 tubs, but I could add two more rows for a total of 16.
The second pic is a close-up of the automatic water spout. I simply drilled a hole in the board and then in the tub and glued the spout in place on the board. When the tub is slid in it seals the hole and the mice have water.
Let me know what you think.

frontview.jpg


waterspout.jpg
 
Looks functional, albeit tiny tubs. =P

What're the glass bowls on top for?

And where's the food? Most of us have the food above the wire in frames. That way its not in direct contact with the rodents. It really makes the food last longer by eliminating waste when they inevitably urinate on the food. They just hang upside down from the wire to eat, or if they're tall enough, stand on their back feet.
 
Two "issues" I see.

Watch those tubs like a hawk! Sterilite/Rubbermaid tubs have "ribs" on the inside for structural support. The mice will gnaw on anything they can get ahold of. Once they get to the "ribs" they will continue until they have holes in the tubs. I believe there are several people here that had this problem.

The second thing I see is of similar nature. Is the wood of the frameworks exposed to the rodents (on top)? They will chew away at that over time, thus making your effort not last as long. Solution...screen the bottom side of the framework.

Just my .02.

Good luck!

Q
 
The bowls are actually plastic. I had used them for food but after spilling/peeing etc. I quit using them. Their food is held in little racks inside the tub. In this picture only 3 of them had the rack hanging. On the top row starting at the left, #1, 3, and 4 have them inside. I usually fill them with rodent blocks and it will last about a week.

As far as them chewing on the tubs, I have a plastic "Mega block" from my sons toybox in each tub. So far I guess I've been lucky cause they do chew on the blocks, but so far they have not chewed on the tubs or the wood. I like to watch them interact with each other so I am with them at least once a day, so I will watch out for them chewing out in the future.
 
1/4", trust me, I thought it was too small myself for them to eat through. =P

But I've not had any troubles with it. They bite through the wire to get a chunk off and then sit down to eat it, then repeat. It REALLY saves on the food waste.

Although, when I've separated out weaners into a new tub all by themselves to grow up, I'll typically throw a handful of blocks in the tub to get them by until they learn how to eat from above.
 
Thanks, never thought about just putting the feed on top. That would be easier as I wouldn't even have to slide the tub to feed.
 
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