Need advice on travel cages

[rodent_girl_1985]

I'm getting ready to look for some travel cages/carriers for my rats to have on hand in case of a hurricane. I have a good temporary cage for them, one of the new super pet exotics cages, but it's too big to have in the car when we're traveling. I would collaspe that cage and have the rats in some sort of carrier while in the car. I currently have eight rats. I need some advice on what kind of carrier to get for them. I don't think a small dog carrier would work because they chewed through one once. I wouldn't mind getting two or even three and separating them, just as long as their small enough for travel, but not too small that they would be uncomfortable.
Advice is much appreciated.

[gracie]

The Dapper Rats website has a great, easy plan for a homemade travel cage...

http://www.dapper.com.au/articles.htm#cage

[RatAttack59]

Depending on your rats sizes, you might want to investigate a small metal dog crate.  Although I would almost think a couple of smaller Martins would work.  It's not "living" conditons, but for travel/emergencies they would do fine.

[rodent_girl_1985]

Depending on your rats sizes, you might want to investigate a small metal dog crate.  Although I would almost think a couple of smaller Martins would work.  It's not "living" conditons, but for travel/emergencies they would do fine.

I have the cage that they would go in wherever we had to stay. It's one of the new super pet exotics. Too small as a permanent home for 8 rats, but it would be fine for going out of town.
What I need it something small that they could travel in the car. More like a carrier than a cage. Something comfortable enough for a 1 or 2 hour drive.

[OldsGal]

I second the Dapper Rats homemade tote cage idea!  I have three of them and ADORE these cages better than any store bought travel cage I have ever owned.  They are perfect for quick evacuation, hospital cages, nursery, holding pen while cleaning cages, just about anything and they are super portable.  As long as you put the wire mesh on the inside of the tote lid so they can't chew a hole around the mesh...I learned that lesson the hard way LOL.

Staci

[RatAttack59]

Depending on your rats sizes, you might want to investigate a small metal dog crate.  Although I would almost think a couple of smaller Martins would work.  It's not "living" conditons, but for travel/emergencies they would do fine.

I have the cage that they would go in wherever we had to stay. It's one of the new super pet exotics. Too small as a permanent home for 8 rats, but it would be fine for going out of town.
What I need it something small that they could travel in the car. More like a carrier than a cage. Something comfortable enough for a 1 or 2 hour drive.

Exactly what I was thinking.  A dog crate would comfortably fit all eight for a 2-hour ride, or two R-640s (four per, cramped but OK for a 2 hour ride).

[LastEchoes]

If you have the extra money.....martin's cages also make small/travel cages...AND they're steady and escape proof and can be used as sick/post-op temporary cages. They even have a collapsible cage.

[Serendipity Rats]

I'll third the Dapper Rat bin cage. I love these, and currently keep 5 on hand here. I use them mainly as temp cages while cleaning the mains, and as maternity cages for moms with newborns up until they are about 2 weeks old. They are excellent for travel - mainly because in most vehicles these cages can actually be strapped in and the rats can't chew the seat belt, and any bedding/accessories you may have in there will stay in the cage. 

Here are two pics of one of mine. These are 54qt Sterilite containers with a 10oz locking crock and large igloo house. There is a lot more room without that huge igloo. 


Top view:


Also for travel, I recommend either the Water Buddy water bottles, or the Woody Wabbit's top fill bottles with the same nozzle as the Water Buddies. These bottles do not leak, even when shaken around in a car (or on the cage with a wheel). 

[reachthestars]

I use a rubbermaid bin for travel as well . It has hauled up to 8 rats one hour, and two rats for a 4 hour trip. I'll hopefully be making a new one to replace this one son, as I want one with more height. I made this one just over 3 years ago when I needed a QT cage for two baby boys.

[rodent_girl_1985]

I like the rubber maid tub iedea. I would probably put them into two groups (4 in each travel bin), what size would I have to make them? I can't make them too big because if we had to exacuate we'd also have two big dof crates in the car for our dogs, plus two smaler ones for our cats.

[jesirose]

I like the rubber maid tub iedea. I would probably put them into two groups (4 in each travel bin), what size would I have to make them? I can't make them too big because if we had to exacuate we'd also have two big dof crates in the car for our dogs, plus two smaler ones for our cats.

Go put all that stuff in the car and see how much room you have left.

[OldsGal]

Personally for 4 rats for a temp situation I would say a 54qt one like Serendipity posted is perfect since it would only be a day.  You can also get the ones that are longer and just as tall.  I don't remember how many qts they are but I have two of those as well and they would wrork for all 8 of your boys in one cage for one day.

Staci

[baschlais]

How much overlap with the plastic lid do you leave on the wire mesh? 

Serendipity, where do you buy the Water Buddy water bottles, or the Woody Wabbit's top fill bottles with the same nozzle as the Water Buddies?

Thank you!
Brenda

[Serendipity Rats]

How much overlap with the plastic lid do you leave on the wire mesh? 

I usually leave between 1/2 and 1 inch overlap for the mesh on the top. Really just enough to secure the mesh to the lid, and then I curve the corners up slightly so that they follow the shape of the top.

Serendipity, where do you buy the Water Buddy water bottles, or the Woody Wabbit's top fill bottles with the same nozzle as the Water Buddies?

The Water Buddies can be found here:
Info/Original site: http://www.agselect.com/ED/showdetl.cfm?DID=11&Product_ID=906
Cheapest price I've found: http://www.woodlandbird.com/text/WBuddy.html

Woody Wabbits can be found here:
http://www.woodyswabbits.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=21&zenid=9fc21022b3ede668c64781d299934f8a

While I personally prefer the Water Buddies, the Woody Wabbits work just as well and are a bit easier to clean too. With new bottles, you do sometimes need to play with the nozzle a bit to adjust the flow of water, but other than that these bottles are very reliable and last for years.

[baschlais]

Thank you for the info, Serendipity!  I put together a Dapper Rat bin cage last night and although I needed help from my husband to figure out how to best remove the center of the lid, it went really smoothly.  I just love how well it works!  Pan and Zuzu got home yesterday from their spays and have to stay in a one-story space for a week.  They seem much happier in the new cage rather than the large carrier I was using - much more light gets in.  I really recommend keeping this kind of cage on hand for emergencies and hospital-time.

Next on my list, new water bottles...
Brenda