Making custom Housing for Rats??

[Batdad]

I have looked for tubs around here to house rat colonies (1:2) in but can not find anything suitable. So I had an idea to build some wooden boxes and line them with sheet metal flashing which is cheap and should keep the rats from chewing their way to freedom. Cost wise this would work for me as woodworking is my longstanding hobby. What I am wondering is will the alumnium flashing present any risks to the rats? The main advantage is I can make the boxes to exactly the size I want.

Thanks
Bruce

[BoidKeeper]

I use the high rough neck rubbermaid. I line it with a basket made out of 1/4 in wire cloth. I cut the lide so only the outside is left and I line it with the wire cloth too. I make a wire auto feeder the fits in the lid and hangs down. I attach the water to the outside the cage. Works great. If you search you'll find pic on line, I did.
Cheers,
Trevor

[Batdad]

Trevor

I couldn’t find the pic’s on line, I searched all 62 of your post LOL, so a couple of questions if you don’t mind? The hardware cloth is it on the bottom of the bin or raised up to allow crap and stuff to fall through or is there enough bedding that this doesn’t happen? Did you make it so ¼” cloth was like a removable liner?

Thanks
Bruce

[BoidKeeper]

Did you make it so ¼” cloth was like a removable liner?

That is excatly what I did, I was having a hard time to explain it but yeah that's what I did. I put in lots of chips the when cleaning is needed I lift out the lining and dump it. Then I sweep out the bin or wash as needed.
Trevor

[Lisa]

Try and find powder coated hardware cloth. It stands up to the rat pee better. I beleive Home Depot has some.