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Title: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: redslurpee on March 27, 2005, 11:00:43 AM I just adopted two boys, an 18 month old & a 26 month old, from
Kim's Ark. They are nimble as can be, but I knew that with these two I would have to consider a more appropriate cage for them sooner if they should become frail. The problem is, I love the 690 cage so much because it is only 14" deep, & thus fits perfectly on my big windowsill here in the living room. The ratties get to be eye level or higher, which they love. & they get a nice view out the window, too! I love not having the cages on the floor. But the 690 has steep ramps, harder for an older fellow to climb. So when I got my hands on a second 690 Friday, I thought I'd like to see how I could optimize it for older ratties. I rearranged all the shelves & ramps. Here is my standard 690 for comparison, in the first picture: (http://www.toadbriar.com/critters/mar05/old690.jpg) & here is the new one, with shallow ramps & lots of added balconies & baskets up top. The wire baskets are painted white so they can be a little hard to see: (http://www.toadbriar.com/critters/mar05/new690.jpg) The boys really like it! They zip up & down from the hammocks to the igloo & back. It's great fun to watch them - they seem really happy. They are living with Fezziwig, by the way. & because their intro post got eaten last week, here they are: Georgie! (http://www.toadbriar.com/critters/mar05/georgiesmile.jpg) Alfie! (http://www.toadbriar.com/critters/mar05/alfundament.jpg) Thanks for looking! Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: taku on March 27, 2005, 11:59:39 AM Look at those chubby hairless ratties!!! They are SOO cute!! They look like little fat piglets. Smooches :heart: :heart:
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: Kendra on March 27, 2005, 01:40:08 PM Wow, I love the way you modified that cage, your slurpeeness. Very creatively done. :)
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: Dearpie on March 29, 2005, 12:46:45 AM Not only are the ramps much more appropriate, but you've created so much more living space too! I wonder if Martins would be interested in a modified version to make available to everyone. I've always tried to steer people to the 695 or 685 instead of the 690 or 680 due to their steep ramps. I just can't imagine an elderly rat on them ... Great job!! :balloon:
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: nancycccslp on March 29, 2005, 08:10:22 PM What a great cage for the nekkids! Alfie is really 26 months?!?!!? That's amazing; I knew he was older but he's doing so great!
It's wonderful to see them so happy. I miss them! Give them a kiss on their warm pudge for me! Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: sarahem007 on March 30, 2005, 10:29:27 AM beautiful nakid guy lol.
i'll have to one day modify a cage for my girls.. thanks for the ideas :) Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: PinkPaws on March 30, 2005, 07:22:30 PM Your renovated cage ( and rattties! ) looks wonderful. :BlueDumboSmile: When rearranging my cage for my elderly girlie's, I haphazardly hung hammocks near the ramps in case of a Miss-step also....
P.S. the word "ratties" didn't come up on spell check.....is it an official word now ,lol? Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: Tracy on July 19, 2005, 09:17:32 PM I still think this is an amazing design and I keep referring people to it who adopt older rats from us
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: redslurpee on July 25, 2005, 08:57:09 AM thanks! It seems to continue working well for the older boys.
I hope it is useful to other folks & if anyone has ideas to add I've love to see em! Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: EmAndCrew on July 25, 2005, 05:32:29 PM Wow Georgie is one of the cutest hairless I have ever seen! The cage looks fantastic, I'm sure he loves it and definitely deserves it.
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: Dearpie on October 17, 2005, 12:01:21 AM It was time to sticky this thread as I've had to search for it COUNTLESS times!! I'm sure it will come in handy for many many more people. Thanks for the great idea and pictures, redslurpee! :balloon:
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: knuckles on October 17, 2005, 08:47:26 AM we really need to discuss this arrangement with martins. it is much better
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: Arlene on January 24, 2006, 06:28:23 PM Good job, Red! I'm sure they boys are happy with their new digs.
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: fluffy on February 24, 2006, 03:16:15 PM I also have a 690 that i modified myself for my two rats... To make the ramps steeper, the first level was pulled up and a wooden plant pot put on the bottom with another ramp coming down from it to the floor. I kept the second (main level) as it was as well as the third level, but attached the ramp from the 3rd to 2nd level on the underside of the 3rd and let it rest on the edge of the litter tray. I also added an extra level at the top (the white one).
(http://www.goosemoose.com/coppermine/albums/userpics/17714/normal_CIMG0311.JPG) Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: LeRatlet on April 23, 2006, 08:07:24 PM HOMG. SOCUTE. o____o!
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: AnniDaRat on May 04, 2006, 11:02:36 PM Woooow :eek: I've never seen such gorgeous hairless ratties. I've never liked hairless ratties, but yours are gorgeous... And I love your 690 cage renovations. :heart: :BlueDumboSmile: :heart:
Good Stuff!!! :thumbsup2: Nina :angel5: Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: Godmother on August 10, 2006, 12:36:54 AM Great renovations! I had thought about selling my 690 when I upgrade to another 695, but now I have decided to keep the 690 for renovations. When my ratties get old or frail, they'd love the cage the way you modified it!
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: poetgurrl01 on December 03, 2006, 06:48:56 PM look at them gorgeous hairless kids..very cute (i was going to get a cute baby hairless girl, but when i came back to get her, she was already taken :-[
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: Vibrissa on February 21, 2007, 01:36:56 PM Also, I figured out a way to modify and thought about suggesting it to the Martins--I measured in the cage (690) to make sure they would fit and be okay--and then ordered two 14 1/2" x 5" and one 15 1/2" x 5" ramp(s) to replace the shorter, narrower three that come with the cage. Knowing this ahead, people could request these instead of the ones they now send with it.
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: ratlover_23 on March 02, 2007, 09:08:17 AM i have 2 older rats, 2 and 3 yrs, that i need to change their cage for, so i am buildign a new cage. :)
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: DougsRats on April 01, 2007, 11:08:40 PM redslurpee
What did you use for the new ramp and shelf materials? Thanks, Doug B Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: CuddlinCutie on November 13, 2007, 03:12:49 PM I was concidering getting the 690 for my future ratties. i pretty much fell in love with it and cant find a better one than the 690. i have never owned rats or cages before. is the 690 easy to modify for a newbie if i was to get one?
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: Dearpie on November 13, 2007, 03:36:38 PM Martin's cages come partially assembled. You can put some things where you want when putting the cage together. If you need to take the c-rings off to move things, then it can be done with either a c-ring remover tool, or a pair of pliers (and a slotted screwdriver if necessary to help with leverage).
You can also order additional ramps and shelves from Martins, or you can make your own out of various other items. Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: coka1000 on March 12, 2008, 10:57:59 PM :bow: sweeeeet! awsome! :bow:
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: littlemamas on March 15, 2008, 10:05:33 AM I love the cage setup! :] Awesome!
And those boys are adorable. I have a weakness for hairless chubbies like those boys. Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: Grammarat on April 20, 2008, 07:25:29 AM :wave2: Hi! Your naked rescues are just tooo cute. Good Luck with them. They look very content. :heart:
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: Dearpie on April 22, 2008, 03:06:14 PM Uhmmm ... the pictures of the rats are from 2005 ....
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: Chevalrose on September 04, 2008, 10:41:48 AM When I got my R-690 I actually took all those ramps off and got 12" bird ladders. Works great! My guys aren't old yet, but I figured it would be better anywho.
Title: Re: Modifying a 690 for Older Rats Post by: Dearpie on September 15, 2008, 12:45:15 PM I would think a ramp would be a whole lot more sturdy/secure for elderly rats.
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