STACKED BIN CAGE WALKTHROUGH
Complete bin cage setup here at LFNP as of July 2020.
With bin cages becoming more and more popular, we wanted to make a space to show you show we created our multi-level bin palaces!
Tools needed:
- 2+ Tote bins (We prefer the 105qt Sterilite totes) (See this video if you don't know how to make a bin cage yet!)
- PVC Pipe that has ONE end flared (like this or this) We recommend 4" diameter but 3" will work for babies or small females.
- A plastic cutting tool such as a hot knife with x-acto attachment or Dremel with a plastic cutting blade
To start, take the lid of your bottom bin, and trace and cut the *small* end of your PCV pipe in your preferred location.
We prefer to put tubes in the corners to allow for more open floor space in the level above.
Next, take the bin of your next level, and trace and cut the exact same hole in the floor of it.
View from above
Note how the holes are lined up nearly perfectly. Large variances in hole size allow for bedding to fall through, and gives the rats a place to start chewing.
If the holes are not lined up well, it will also be an issue getting the PVC in and out for cleaning, which can crack the plastic.
Then, slide your PVC into place, flared end up.
Having only one end of the PVC flared is important, because it allows the PVC to catch into place and not fall through the hole. This is also why you trace the SMALL end of the PVC to cut.
Below you can see the inserted tube from above, with and without bedding added to the cage, as well as a side-view of a completed multi-level with our resident boy Johnny doing a peek!
Repeat these steps as needed to get desired cage height!
We have found that 4 bins high tends to be the limit, as the stack will get wobbly without reinforcement if you go higher!
Another photo of our two stacked sets of bins.
Males on the left, females on the right!
When stacking bins, one of the most common complains is the inability to reach rats in lower levels.
To combat this, we used doors off of our old Rat Manor cages and attached them to our lower bins!
There are several types of cages you could take doors from like this, the important thing to remember is that your door will most likely need a latch! Some cages have latches already, some do not. You can make latches with pipe cleaners or use small bungee cords to hold the door closed instead!
Attaching doors is as simple as cutting an appropriately sized door in the hardware cloth of your bin, and reattaching the door/latch to your hardware cloth.
We also hot-glued pieces of poster frames to the edges of our doors, as the hardware cloth can be sharp if you don't file it down.
