Covering Wire bottoms

[the_pumpkin_queen]

Since our mature male ratties are getting along now, we will be switching them to a 29 high x 28 wide x 19 deep cage. Problem is, the top two levels have wire grids, along with the ramp. In a previous cage I used carpet tiles to cover the grids, but since this cage is twice the size, I was wondering what the alternatives were. I was especially concerned about the ramp. What do you guys use? I tried fabric on the grids and my rattie tore it off and stuffed it in his hidey.

[Dearpie]

If the wire is 1/2 x 1/2", then you dont need to cover them at all.  IF the grids are larger, then yes, you would .... I will put tshirts on my balconies and levels, just for their own comfort.  Others will attach the plastic canvas or use towels that need to be changed out daily or every other day.  If you're concerned about bumblefoot, apparently it's not wire that causes it, but dirty solid surfaces, standing urine and overweight rats.

[scout]

Well, if the shelves are COATED wire, you don't need anything. If they are galvanized, it's best to cover them because they will absorb the smell of urine, never to be released. UGH!

You can cover with just about anything - I like stone floor tile because it wears the rats' nails down (hate trimming their nails and so do they), plastic carpet cover (about $1/ft in most hardware stores), plexiglass, plastic placemats (from the thrift store). Wood is a poor choice because it also absorbs urine and is hard to clean. Try a variety of things, see what you and your rats come up with that you like. Then let us know what you picked! Always on the hunt for new ideas.

[the_pumpkin_queen]

The wire is 1/2" x 1/2" and it's galvanized, but only the shelving and the pan are made of the galvanized steel. The outside cage is very shiney like chrome and its about 4g wire, much thicker than the galvaized shelves. I was considering painting it before the ratties were put in, so I wouldn't have to deal with the corrosion of the wire, should it get urine on it. Would that be recommended?
I like the idea of stone tile, however can it be cut to fit? And wouldn't it absore urine too? And the plastic carpet you mentioned, is it like astro-turf, or the plastic covering you use for floor mats? Sorry, you confused me on that one. I was also concerned with them keeping traction on the ramp if it was covered with something other than carpet, or some type of fabric.

[TCR]

I used to use tiles (I think vinyl) from a home improvement store, to cover the wire of the cages. But thanks to the suggestion of plastic canvas that I got from this forum, I started using that and I love it! I got the canvas from Ragshop but I've seen them being sold at most other craft and fabric stores. It's wonderful because now there are no puddles sitting on the tiles just waiting to be walked through. When they pee, the urine just falls right through the narrow spacing of the canvas. The only thing is that they tend to chew up the canvas more...but the squares were only about $.10 a piece so that's not a big deal!
I don't know about painting the wire...I don't think I'd be too comfortable with that.
Other people may cover the wire stairs, as well as the levels, but I don't.

[maryz]

If you live anywhere a decent sized city, there's probably a metal finishing shop that can powdercoat the shelves for a small fee.  Just make sure to ask for nontoxic coating.

[the_pumpkin_queen]

Can an auto body shop do it?

[maryz]

You'd have to ask.   Powdercoating is baked on in giant kiln like ovens after spraying.  Maybe a shop has one.

[menagerie]

I painted a galvanized cage with child safe high gloss paint. It's been about a year and is holding up really well. I originally spray painted the cage 2 years ago, but it was hard to get good coverage. I repainted it a year ago using a roller with a long nap, I rolled each side of the wire and applied two coats.

I looked into having the cage powdercoated its 36" x 16" x 48" with two full shelves. I was quoted $200, which is why I ended up painting (the paint was $8.00 for a quart and I paid $5.00 for the roller) $13.00 vs $200.00 such a deal  

[maryz]

I looked into having the cage powdercoated its 36" x 16" x 48" with two full shelves. I was quoted $200, which is why I ended up painting

Wow, that's crazy!  I had two custom Martin's R695 size 50 gallon tank toppers with three levels and ramps coated for $54 apiece.  And that included fixing some smashed up corners from FedEx.

[the_pumpkin_queen]

Well, I will make a few calls tomorrow and see what I come up with, if it turns out to be expensive I may go with menagerie92117's idea.
There is a Sodablasting place about 45 mins from here, is that the same thing?

[maryz]

I don't know.  I looked up metal finishing companies in the phone book and called the ones that mentioned powdercoating until I found one that did small orders.

[merlin7676]

Another thing you could try using are those plastic coverings that you would use to cover your gutters so leaves don't get in them. I build my own cage for the boys and what I did for shelves was fit doll rods thru the bars and then cut the plastic with a utility knife and punched holes for those plastic zip ties to tie to the rods...i think the idea would work well for a martin's too.

Merlin