Ive since found other cages:
Ive put them in order of ones im thinking of, the first one im thinking about the most.
What do people think of these ones?
Pros and cons for them all please.
http
/www.justcages.co.uk/products/liberta-rat-and-rodent-cage
http
/www.petspantry.tv/acatalog/rat-cages.html - the rene £49.99 one - 7th one down - blue bottom
http
/www.justcages.co.uk/products/f11-ferret-mammal-cage
http
/www.redmap.co.uk/ferretsabout/acatalog/Super_Pet_Multi_Floor_Cages.html - the first one
Cage 1 on the list - will only comfortably house two rats according to the welfare guidelines of 2sq. ft per rat.
CONS
Personally, I think the accessories are a complete waste of space - they will become soaked with urine and stink to high heaven in no time at all - especially with bucks.
I can't see any big doors - meaning hanging hammocks and cleaning corners of shelves (presuming you will be fitting some more suitable ones in the cage) is going to be a feat of contortion.
Wooden slats on the bottom will need to be removed and sliding trays aren't going to be an ideal floor configuration - although should be all right with a thick layer of shredded cardboard (although this defies the point of the sliding trays!).
PROS
Good bar spacing - suitable for even very small ratties.
That's about all that jumps at me.
Cage 2 - Rene
Will house 3 rats according to 2sq. ft per rat guidelines.
PROS
Plastic accessories - won't have to be thrown out!
Nice deep base for bedding, exclusion of drafts and to stop them throwing the bedding out onto the floor!
Good layout with ramps and shelving - although the wheel will need checking before use - very few companies make them tail-safe for ratties.
CONS
The bar spacing will need checking if you're getting kittens as it looks 1 inch to me - meaning only big does or medium bucks can be kept inside!
Otherwise it's a decent cage at a relatively good price.
Cage 3 - F11 cage
Will house 2 rats.
PROS
Good plastic accessories - these cages are generally very good quality, I had a tall version of this before my oldies got decrepit!
The splash guard is a godsend!
Brilliant access! You can easily reach everywhere in this cage without pulling muscles or swearing!
Wheels are very handy! Hoovering behind the cage won't ever be such a mission as it is when you have to pick up the cage full of fat bucks!
CONS
Larger bar spacing - okay for small does but careful with very young kittens.
Pull out trays and grill are pretty much useful, I covered the base with lino and used it as a normal box-base.
All in all a good cage, but not a terribly cheap price.
Cage 4 - Super Pet
Houses 4 rats.
PROS
Good, durable coating on the bars - if this is like the ones I bought years ago of the same model then they will last forever.
Good accessories - modular as well.
CONS
Large bar spacing.
That one door you see - it's all you get. Cleaning out this cage, re-fitting hammocks and reaching for slightly nervy ratties are all near-impossible missions. I cut extra doors into my cages.
Not a very deep base - ratties do and will kick out their bedding onto your floor.
No wheels - so when they do make a mess, it's not easy to clean it up lol.
All in all, a cage built to last - unfortunately one I never wanted to last when I had it. It's not designed for ease of cleaning at all - and sadly this can make every day shelf wipe-downs a nightmare. I learnt to hate this cage before modding it.
HTH
