17"x22"x17" cage.. what's it good for?

[Silverbeat]

I have two "pet store" sized cages and I want to put them to some use [I am a fosterer]. I know they are way too small for any form of guinea pig, but I am wondering if they are good for any other animals? Hamsters maybe or single rats?

[Jenni_Feathers]

Well, how big is the spacing. It would have to be pretty small to be hamster safe. I'm not sure about for a single rat, but I think it might be too small but I really have no idea about rat cage sizes, I have heard there is a good cage size calculator somewhere though for rats you may find it by google-ing or something.

[Jennicat]

I usually keep those types of cages for quarantine, post-surgery, or in case there's an emergency and I need to evac. with everybody.

[newpiggiemommy]

You could take the door off (or use it as a ramp) and attach it to you C&C as a hayroom/litter box/kitchen/hidey(if you cover it). I would not use it for anything smaller than a guinea because you would be taking a chance of them getting out or stuck in the bars.

[Silverbeat]

Thanks for all the suggestions.
One of the cages I have has handles so that would be a good evacuation cage. The other one I have is only top-opening, I could use that for QT.
I've heard anywhere from 1 to 3 cubic feet per rat so I will keep it in mind as an emergency cage in case we get a whole ton of rats [I work with 2 rescues and a shelter].
While I'd like to have a hay loft or something on my C&C cage, Mine is very oddly shaped [it's a 2x4 with two grids on the side as a litter area, in the shape of an L] and I doubt the pet store cage will fit nicely anywhere.

[Ly&Pigs]

It's basically 1.5-2 cubic feet per rat.