Critter Nation Shelf Upgrade Review

[lizmo1221]

I meant to post this ages ago, when I got my CN, almost two months ago! My CN came with the upgrades, which was a surprise!

Basically the shelf pan is just like the bottom pan. The shelf pan sits "in" the shelf so to speak, and the edges of the shelf wrap around the outside, making it totally immovable for ratties, yet it is sooo easy to take out to clean or wrap fleece around. No more struggling with fitting it into those slots, or flinging poo everywhere while trying to get it out! I guess if you have determined fleece pullers, this makes it easier to pull it up, but it works very well for me.

Because the shelf pan is different, so is the mount for the ramps. The ramps themselves are the same, but there are now two hooky thingys to hold them onto the shelves.

No more fitting into the "slots", and you can mount them anywhere along the shelf, not just in the three predetermined spots. The new hooks also make it possible to attach the ramp the the cage itself, like in this setup:

There is also a change to the shelf itself. Not sure how recent this is, but the underside of my shelf is different than any that I've seen before. There are loopy things (to hang stuff) on the bars going front to back AND side to side, so there are many more places to hook hammocks and things, and a lot easier to find the perfect place to hang it.

I also got the happy feet ramp covers (three of them for all three ramps). They are nice I guess for older ratties or ones with HED. I don't have much functional use for them, other than decorative. They are teal on one side and purple on the other.

Overall, I am very happy with all the upgrades. Although I haven't owned a CN before, I have experience cleaning the old shelf style at CCH, and I much rather dealing with mine! LOL!

 

[jorats]

Wow! I want the new shelves!!

 

[Rissa]

I want the new shelves too! And the clips for my existing ladders so I can hang them onto the cage instead of the shelf

 

[Moon]

Those are pretty awesome. I want.

 

[Maple]

I want the new shelves as well. They would be so much better for keeping my bedding in place. Does anyone know if they can be ordered as an "add on"?

 

[Rissa]

You can order them direct from midwest for $30+ shipping and ferret.com has them for $12.99 each but I'm not sure if they come with the ramp or not, I asked around to see if anyone knows, may send them an email to find out. I don't know of anywhere in Canada that has them as an add-on, maybe flowertown will start to carry them?

 

[Maple]

Thanks Digi, I'll order directly from Midwest if I can't order from my regular shop.
If the new ramps can't be ordered, do you know if the old ramps will connect to the new shelves? Its the shelf and pans I'm after.

 

[MomRat]

We just ordered the new shelves from Midwest, two shelves and three happy feet covers were $30, and two additional ramps(because we intend to use all four shelves at once, for a big happy old rat CN cage) were about $7 a piece. I would assume that all you would need to use old ramps with new shelves are the little hook pieces, which probably come with the new shelves as a package, since they don't come with ramps.

 

[Rissa]

Mom, how much was all that with shipping? Thats exactly what I want to order.

 

[lizmo1221]

The ramps themselves are identical, all you need for the new shelf and pan design is the new hooks for it, which I would assume come with the shelf if you order them, just like Momrat said

 

[Rissa]

I'd like to have both old and new shelves in t he cage at once to expand for my oldies so I would really like to have ramps going from the cn, to the first self to the second shelf so they don't have to try to climb.

 

[arresai]

My CN came w/the upgrades as well and while they are so easy to clean, my girls have chewed a large hole in one pan. They have a large wood thingy but, have decided the shelf in better :gaah:

 

[MomRat]

Mom, how much was all that with shipping? Thats exactly what I want to order.

David says it was between 50 and 55, but we are in the US, so it may be diff for you?

 

[Rissa]

I'm shipping it all to my sister in bellingham, I never ship things directly to Canada, too pricey

 

[jorats]

My CN came w/the upgrades as well and while they are so easy to clean, my girls have chewed a large hole in one pan. They have a large wood thingy but, have decided the shelf in better :gaah:

Oh no! So those with chewers beware.

 

[victoria]

It's too bad they aren't giving a choice... I think I prefer my old shelves (except for the two way hanging) to the newer ones. I'm sure people who upgrade will be able to find a market for the old shelves if they want to get rid of them.

 

[alosha]

Great review, thanks for writing it.

 

[Maple]

I always squeese my fingers in the old shelves and that's painful.
Iv'e been very lucky as far a chewers go but I have seen some nasty pictures on here of chewed pans. :laugh4: Anyone have a sample handy, I could use a good laugh.

 

[lizmo1221]

Great review, thanks for writing it.

You are very welcome

 

[Dazzle87]

I bought the shelves from ferret.com, I love them! Shipping was 8, but I bought other items with it as well.

Ramps do not come with them, but unless your rats have HE'D they aren't even really needed. To be on the safe side I used some lava ledges but my old girls can make it just fine.