Modifying a FN for an old and special needs rat?

[nevadamoon]

I ended up buying a 142, and now I'll looking at adjusting the bottom level so it is safer for both a rat that's over 2 years old, and a tinytiny baby rat with a as-of-yet-undiagnosed birth defect.  Both can move around pretty well, but the old guy has some hind end degeneration, and the little guy is just tiny.

I was thinking of lowering the level to the lowest position, and trying to sew a 'sleeve' for the ramp.  Will that make it safer or harder to climb?

Are there any other good ideas for making things safer?

Also, is there a size smaller then 1/2" hardware cloth?  I haven't seen any at the place where I bought some previously, and unless he is dipped in nuclear waste and triples in size, the baby will easily slip out of that once he's old enough to be away from momma. 

[julztoni97]

I was looking at hardware cloth over the weekend at Home Depot.  They had 1/4 inch but it wasn't coated just regular glavanized.  I didn't notice the cost though.  I was actually back there looking at dog kennels and the hardware cloth caught my eye.  Had to check it out

[nevadamoon]

Hrm, may have to go to Home depot then.  I hadn't noticed anything smaller the 1/2", but I'd gotten some from Farm and Fleet.

   I think he could probably slip out of 1/4" right now, but we'll see.  He's smaller then an adult dwarf hamster.

[Leslie Marie]

I had my shelf lowered to as low as it would go for molly since she also had that. She seemed to be able to get up and down it pretty ok, but it probably could have been better.

They sell hardware cloth with 1/4 inch squares. And you can get it coated, mine is. =)  It's not too expensive. I think it coast me $30 something total to cover my whole cage.  I don't think he would get out. =P

[RNPaulie]

I have sleeves over my ramps for the older guys and it helps quite a bit-- I don't have to worry about feet/legs getting caught and they can still pull themselves up with their front legs- fleece is the easiest to grab

[nevadamoon]

Leslie- It was only like 13 bucks at F&F, so I'm not really worried.  I have a top half of a FN to do, and a whole one.  (Juuust to make sure my girls don't get any ideas, and to make sure young boys don't either.)  Hopefully they have some 1/4" there I didn't see (Maybe it wasn't in stock?).  Otherwise I'll just have to hunt around.

RNP-  Ooo, glad to see it helps.  I wasn't sure if it would make things easier or better, but I figured at the very least it'd keep little (and big) legs from falling down through the slots.  My old guy seems to handle the cage fine so far, but he pretty much stays on one platform. 

Now to just figure out how to get the sewing machine to work. 

[KoalaLou2]

When Mr Smuckers had hind leg degeneration, it helped him to be able to grab onto the rungs of the ladder.  He could hook his back toes into the rungs and help push himself up.  I think every situation is a little different and depends on how your rat walks and what works for them.  Its worth a try and if it doesn't help, then just take them off!