Modifying a 690 for Older Rats

[redslurpee]

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:




& 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:



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!


Alfie!


Thanks for looking!

[taku]

Look at those chubby hairless ratties!!! They are SOO cute!! They look like little fat piglets. Smooches

[Kendra]

Wow, I love the way you modified that cage, your slurpeeness.  Very creatively done. 

[Dearpie]

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!!

[nancycccslp]

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!

[sarahem007]

beautiful nakid guy lol.

i'll have to one day modify a cage for my girls.. thanks for the ideas

[PinkPaws]

Your renovated cage ( and rattties! ) looks wonderful.  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?

[Tracy]

I still think this is an amazing design and I keep referring people to it who adopt older rats from us

[redslurpee]

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!

[EmAndCrew]

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.

[Dearpie]

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! 

[knuckles]

we really need to discuss this arrangement with martins.  it is much better

[Arlene]

Good job, Red! I'm sure they boys are happy with their new digs.

[fluffy]

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).

[LeRatlet]

HOMG. SOCUTE. o____o!

[AnniDaRat]

Woooow    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.     

Good Stuff!!! 

Nina 

[Godmother]

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!

[poetgurrl01]

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 

[Vibrissa]

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. 

[ratlover_23]

i have 2 older rats, 2 and 3 yrs, that i need to change their cage for, so i am buildign a new cage.

[DougsRats]

redslurpee

What did you use for the new ramp and shelf materials?

Thanks,

Doug B

[CuddlinCutie]

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?

[Dearpie]

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. 

[coka1000]

  sweeeeet! awsome!

[littlemamas]

I love the cage setup! :] Awesome!

And those boys are adorable.
I have a weakness for hairless chubbies like those boys.

[Grammarat]

  Hi! Your naked rescues are just tooo cute.  Good Luck with them.  They look very content.

[Dearpie]

Uhmmm ... the pictures of the rats are from 2005 ....

[Chevalrose]

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.

[Dearpie]

I would think a ramp would be a whole lot more sturdy/secure for elderly rats.