Mesh grids for rat cage?

[i-love-nev]

I just got 2 young (1 is 6-7 weeks, the other 10-11 weeks) male ratties a few days ago and they have a cage that is plenty big enough for them, but I want one bigger so they can have more tubes, hammocks, ladders etc and was wondering if the mesh grids can be used if I covered up the corners? I would make it 2x2x2/3 and put the coroplast (5-10mm) on the inside with "paper keepers" on top then attach the grids to a peice of ply wood ( U-nails?) and then attach that to "they're" chest of draws (so the cats dont pull the cage off accidently) and the obviously make up some cat-deter spray for around the cage (over the chest of draws, round the floor etc) to try keep the cats away. Idea's/suggestions/etc welcome.

Anybody have experience with this kind of cage?

[Toadies]

In the photo galleries under "cages for other pets", do a search for "rat mansion". It may give you some answers. Another member made an extremely cool cage for their ratties using the mesh grids and they address the corner issue.

[Rattie Mom]

Ratties under the age of 4 months (6 if they are small or female) should not be in a cage with mesh bigger than 1/2" x 1 " spacing. We have our adults in 1"x1" mesh. Young ratties can (and will) try to put their heads through the mesh and can get caught. I have heard way too many horror stories of babies breaking their necks in 1x1 inch spacing. I also learned the hard way that 6 week old males can even squeeze OUT of 1x1 inch spacing. Any bigger of spacing and the youngsters can get out, NO problem.

With all that said, the C&C grids are definitely too big for rattie babies. Probably full grown adults as well.

One other rattie owner here, recently made a C&C cage, and wrapped it with hardware mesh. You might do a search....she did post pics.