Rats as Pets
Cages
Bedding & Substrate
Feeding
Health
Breeding & Showing

My rats now live in a 16' x 8' shed in our garden.

I took the decision to move them out there due to the fact that they were starting to take over the upstairs of our house and that a number of people told me this would be better for them.

The shed doubles up as a mini office for me so I can do some work out there too.

Detailed pictures of the shed layout

Photos of Previous Cages and layouts

This is a Ferplast Mary Cage.

Again I use this for Intro's or new rats but this cage will also be used for pregnant does as their birthing home.

I have 3 of these cages.

This is a Savic Ruffy Cage.

It is very similar to the Ferplast Mary but only has one opening door which is on the top. As with the mary this cage is also used as a birthing cage or for introductions.

This is a Savic Freddy 2 Cage.

This is used for kittens once they have been spilt at 4.5 weeks old but this does depend on how many kittens their are.

I also use this cage for rat sitting as it can hold 5 or 6 for a weekend (only 4 as a full-time cage).

This is a Ferplast Furet Plus Cage (new 2010 design)

This is used for kittens once they have been spilt at 4.5 weeks old but this does depend on how many kittens their are as they can get upset if they have too much space.

I also use this cage for rat sitting as it can hold 6 or 7 for a weekend (only 5 as a full-time cage).

This cage folds down in to 6 pieces can easily be stored in the loft when not in use.

I am currently using Auboise as my main cage substrate. I do occasionally mix in some ecopet but this is hard for me to source locally. Nursing mums are on Green Mile cardboard bedding and when the kittens are 6 weeks old I mix a little Auboise in with it (babies are really smelly)

In the litter trays I use Yesterdays News which is a paper based small animal litter. I find having the main substrate different from the toilet litter seems to increase the chances of them using the potty.

For inside the igloos and houses I use torn up newspaper, paper towels, loo rolls or Safebed which they can take wherever they like.