DIY Bin Cage for Rats (and other Small Animals)
A small bin being used as a carrier - credit to OnceUponAMischief
Bin cages are a great way to give your rats (or other small animals) a spacious cage, without the downside of it costing you a fortune. Not only are these cages cheap and easy to make, but they are also light, easy to clean, and can easily be modified if you would like to give even more space to your rats! Even if you already have a nice cage at home bin cages are also optimal for use as travel cages, quarantine cages, introduction cages, vet carriers, and more. Best of all they often cost less than $20 to make, and can be made with bare bones tools, making them accessible to just about anyone!
Materials:
A 50 gallon storage bin makes a good bin cage for 2-4 rats!
- Plastic storage tub & lid
- 1/2 hardware cloth (1/4 inch hardware cloth also works)
- Metal wire/zip ties
- Duct Tape
- Wire cutters
- Dremel (a hot knife or utility knife can also work)
Optional (for a cleaner cut and longer lasting bin cage):
- Nuts & bolts
- Washers
- File
Step 1:
Start by cutting out the necessary parts of your storage bin. Rats need a minimum of 2 sides cut out, along with the top being cut out. I prefer to cut out all 4 sides of my bottom bin along with the lid for maximum ventilation, but in a pinch 2 sides and the lid is the minimum. You can cut out your bin by using a dremel (this is the easiest and fastest way to do so), or in a pinch a hot knife or even a utilities knife can also do the job.
Start by cutting out the necessary parts of your storage bin. Rats need a minimum of 2 sides cut out, along with the top being cut out. I prefer to cut out all 4 sides of my bottom bin along with the lid for maximum ventilation, but in a pinch 2 sides and the lid is the minimum. You can cut out your bin by using a dremel (this is the easiest and fastest way to do so), or in a pinch a hot knife or even a utilities knife can also do the job.
Step 2:
Take your dremel/utility knife and cut small holes around the edge of your bin's new openings. Make these about 1/2 an inch from the opening, and make them all around each new opening as these will be how you attach your hardware cloth later on.
Take your dremel/utility knife and cut small holes around the edge of your bin's new openings. Make these about 1/2 an inch from the opening, and make them all around each new opening as these will be how you attach your hardware cloth later on.
Step 3:
Now its time to cut your hardware cloth to size for each ventilation window. I recommend measuring your bin's windows, then adding an extra inch to each side so you can easily attach it. Once you have measured out how much hardware cloth you need, secure the hardware cloth with some heavy objects and cut out each piece.
Now its time to cut your hardware cloth to size for each ventilation window. I recommend measuring your bin's windows, then adding an extra inch to each side so you can easily attach it. Once you have measured out how much hardware cloth you need, secure the hardware cloth with some heavy objects and cut out each piece.
Step 4:
Get out your wire or zip ties, then start to attach the hardware cloth to the inside of the bin. If you are using wire, thread the wire through the outside of your hardware cloth and the small holes you cut around your bin's side. If you are using zip ties, thread them through the hardware cloth and the small holes and then fasten them securely. Once you are finished, tie off the wire (or if you are using zip ties cut off the zip tie ends) and then repeat this with each of your ventilation windows (including the lid)
Get out your wire or zip ties, then start to attach the hardware cloth to the inside of the bin. If you are using wire, thread the wire through the outside of your hardware cloth and the small holes you cut around your bin's side. If you are using zip ties, thread them through the hardware cloth and the small holes and then fasten them securely. Once you are finished, tie off the wire (or if you are using zip ties cut off the zip tie ends) and then repeat this with each of your ventilation windows (including the lid)
Step 5:
If you have any particularly sharp edges left you can now file them down. Otherwise, take your duct tape and place a long strand across each side of each window, repeating this on both the inside and outside of the cage.
If you have any particularly sharp edges left you can now file them down. Otherwise, take your duct tape and place a long strand across each side of each window, repeating this on both the inside and outside of the cage.
Step 6:
And that's it! All that's left is to add bedding, food, water, toys, and finally, your rats!
And that's it! All that's left is to add bedding, food, water, toys, and finally, your rats!
Hamster bin cage using bolts found on pintrest!
Optional:
If you would like to make the bin cage more secure, you can swap out your wire or zip ties for some nuts and bolts. Instead of attaching the hardware cloth with zip ties or wire, simply screw on the nuts and bolts instead!
If you would like to make the bin cage more secure, you can swap out your wire or zip ties for some nuts and bolts. Instead of attaching the hardware cloth with zip ties or wire, simply screw on the nuts and bolts instead!
Example of a double-decker bin cage from Hammy Time!
Tips:
If you would like to expand your bin cage, you can attach them by cutting out a piece in the bottom of one storage bin and the top of another, or cut out places for tubes and use PCV pipes to attach several bins together! These bins can be attached horizontally to add floor space, or attached vertically to add height.
If you would like to expand your bin cage, you can attach them by cutting out a piece in the bottom of one storage bin and the top of another, or cut out places for tubes and use PCV pipes to attach several bins together! These bins can be attached horizontally to add floor space, or attached vertically to add height.
Video Tutorial for a Basic Bin Cage:
Disclosure: Esther (and her site rattrix.weebly.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
