I plan on getting a critter nation super soon, before I bring rat babies home. I just want to double check that the bar spacing will be small enough that the new babies won't escape. I think you can bring them home as early as 6 weeks old?
Critter nation bars
- Thread starter Zesana
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- babies cage critter nation spacing
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SQ
Senior Member - Vegan for the animals
Yes babies should be at least 6 weeks old before being rehomed.
make sure they are all the same ***
and yes, the bar spacing on the critter nation is small enough.
Are you getting a single or a double cage?
The critter nation cage is one of the best cages for rats, however, no cage is perfect
Please see the Reference Thread for some issues with the critter nation that pet owners need to be aware of https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/reference-thread-read-only.35894/
make sure they are all the same ***
and yes, the bar spacing on the critter nation is small enough.
Are you getting a single or a double cage?
The critter nation cage is one of the best cages for rats, however, no cage is perfect
Please see the Reference Thread for some issues with the critter nation that pet owners need to be aware of https://www.ratshackforum.com/threads/reference-thread-read-only.35894/
I have a double, and have them seperated with girls (strong climbers) on top and boys (mine are lazy and chubby) on bottom. The hole in the middle, we covered with large wire ties about the same spacing apart as the bars. Then we put the bottom pan in top, and the top pan in bottom. For the hole in the pan where it would have went to the first floor, I covered the bars with newspaper, and then their fleece, and I put a pan (like a tin bread baking pan) that fits perfect in the hole of the CN pan. I use it as a litter pan. I check the wire ties often. But babies are very exploratory, and crafty. So be extra careful about that hole that goes to the bottom floor.
SQ
Senior Member - Vegan for the animals
Please only get one *** …. having 2 intact sexes in the same home is an "accident" waiting to happen because rats are very smart and very motivated when girls are in heat (every 4 to 5 days) ….. and [people are not perfect 100% of the time.
I know of rats who get out of a cage in the basement and found the opposite *** in a third floor bedroom.
If you do have 2 groups in the cage, make sure you cover both full floors with a piece of coroplast cut to fit, and you use the full pan in the top half and the pan with the cut out in the bottom half ------ this may prevent deaths
BTW girls need to be spayed by a good vet with the knowledge and experience to safely spay rats - for health reasons (see info in the Reference Thread)
I currently have some boy babies I have already agreed to take that I'm preparing for, but a friend of mine told me she might need to rehome her pregnant female, and I told her if she honestly can't keep her then I will take her and find homes for the babies. My hope is that she finds a way to keep her females because i know she loves them but life happens so I'm trying to be supportive.
If I end up with both sexes I will do everything in my power to keep them separated. Even if I need to buy a second cage. I don't want to breed.
It's kind of up in the air right now about the females. I'm hoping she doesn't need to rehome them though because she clearly loves them.
If I end up with both sexes I will do everything in my power to keep them separated. Even if I need to buy a second cage. I don't want to breed.
It's kind of up in the air right now about the females. I'm hoping she doesn't need to rehome them though because she clearly loves them.
jorats
Loving rats since 2002.
I do agree that having two intact sexes in the home creates stress for both genders. Rats are really good at getting to each other. But if you do plan on keeping the females, why not have them spayed? Spaying is highly beneficial for females and you could have them all live together. Mixed colonies of rats is such a wonderful crew.
ViciousCurse
Well-Known Member
Aside from two intact sexes being that close to each other, any tails hanging out the side of the cage and reaching into the other ***'s territory is another accident waiting to happen. Rats on the bottom half may grab the rat from the top half and either bite it or deglove the tail, both are which are extremely painful and require medical treatment.
Also, I'd like to ask. In the event that something happens to your rat that is beyond your abilities, how do you plan to find medical treatment for your rats? Say, a tumor happens (perish the thought), how do you plan to treat that, or humanely euthanize the rat? I know this is not the proper thread for this discussion, but knowing a vet within a day's drive is crucial for your animals, regardless of laws.
Also, I'd like to ask. In the event that something happens to your rat that is beyond your abilities, how do you plan to find medical treatment for your rats? Say, a tumor happens (perish the thought), how do you plan to treat that, or humanely euthanize the rat? I know this is not the proper thread for this discussion, but knowing a vet within a day's drive is crucial for your animals, regardless of laws.
jorats
Loving rats since 2002.
Oh right! I forgot about that.
SQ
Senior Member - Vegan for the animals
Where do you live?
If Alberta I though all rats were illegal in the entire province, with neighbours informing on one another and rats being brutally killed if discovered. In the past rats have received special permission from the authorities to be flown out of Alberta instead of being killed.
As for vets, rats become ill and die fast.
It is essential to have a good vet willing to learn, or one with the knowledge and experience to treat rats.
If Alberta I though all rats were illegal in the entire province, with neighbours informing on one another and rats being brutally killed if discovered. In the past rats have received special permission from the authorities to be flown out of Alberta instead of being killed.
As for vets, rats become ill and die fast.
It is essential to have a good vet willing to learn, or one with the knowledge and experience to treat rats.
Rocket99
Well-Known Member
Just make sure you don't get the Ferret Nation by mistake, those bars are NOT small enough to hold pups in, but will work for adults, but the bars go verticle, not horizontal for rats to climb like in Critter Nations. I have a Triple Critter Nations with 6 shelves, so that I can effectively build 6 enclosures if needed. Lolol, the top cage is about an inch from the ceiling, and I had to remove the wheels also, but it fits!!!!!!
It's the critter nation. I triple checked before buying it (to the annoyance of the shop salesperson)
I'm happy my friend decided to keep her rat momma because I really would prefer to have just boys.
Few more weeks and I should have my boys!
I'm happy my friend decided to keep her rat momma because I really would prefer to have just boys.
Few more weeks and I should have my boys!
