How
To..
Convert a 9 litre RUB into a breeding box / cage
This is our step by step guide on how to create your own mouse cage / breeding box using a 9 litre Really Useful Box (RUB.)
This guide should not be attempted by anyone under the age of 18 as it involves the use of tools that can be dangerous if not used carefully. Woodland Mousery will not be held responsible for any loss or damage to either yourself or any property while using this guide.
USE THIS GUIDE AT YOUR OWN RISK.
You will need the following:
Supplies:
1 X 9 Litre RUB
1 X Mouse Water Bottle
1 X Sheet of mesh (6x6 mm squares)
32 X Cable ties
Tools:
Soldering iron, with a flat end attachment (not the point)
Masking tape
Wire cutters
Marker pen
Step 1 - Cut the mesh to size.
The mesh will normally come in sheets approx 910 x 610 mm from this you will need to cut out the parts we need. For this count the squares for measurements. Cut the following:
Piece 1 - 29 X 50 Squares
Piece 2 - 8 X 38 Squares
Piece 3 - 4 X 4 Squares
Ensure the edges are cut carefully so as not to leave any sharp bits as this will be on the inside of the cage.
Step 2 - The lid
Ok first up take the biggest piece of mesh that you have just cut (29 x 50) And place it on the inside of the lid, If cut correctly it should sit nicely on the inside of the lid.
Next you need to mark where we are going to cut the plastic. From the corner count diagonal 4 squares and place a small mark using your marker pen as shown below, do this in each corner.
Now turn the lid over and place masking tape to join up the marks so you should now have a clear square which we are going to remove.
Caution: Please ensure this is done in a well ventilated room.Use of a breathing mask and gloves is advised
Next use your soldering iron to slowly and carefully melt the plastic along the masking tape line, try not to melt plastic onto the masking tape as this will make the tape harder to remove.
Now remove the masking tape, Now we need to secure the mesh to the plastic, Turn over the lid and place the mesh back on the inside like before. From the corner square count in 1 square and place a mark, now mark the square next to this and do this in each corner.
Now use the soldering iron to make small holes where you have placed the marks in each corner.
Now turn the lid back over and hold the mesh in place with your hand, put one cable tie into one hole and out the other as shown below.
Now fasten the cable ties and do the same in each corner. This should now hold the mesh in place while we make the rest of the holes.
Now cut off the excess cable tie but leave a small bit as shown.
Carefully use your soldering iron to melt this small bit, this will seal the cable tie to ensure it cannot come lose, Do this to the remaining cable ties.
Now we are going to mark where we want to make the rest of the holes, turn the lid back over and count in squares from the first cable tie and place a mark on the following squares. 8 + 9, 18 + 19, 26 +27, 36 + 37. Also do this on the bottom of the lid.
Now use your soldering iron to make the holes that you just marked. Now we need to mark on the side where we want to secure, so again from the top left cable tie count down and mark the following squares. 8 + 9, 17 + 18, Now use the soldering iron to make these holes.
Now turn the lid back over and use cable ties in all the holes just as you done before and seal as before. This is your lid completed.
Step 3 - The water bottle
To some people this might seem pointless but from our experience we have seen mice chew even the smallest hole in plastic, so this is to ensure they will not be able to chew and will not be able to cause damage to the box.
For this you will need the smallest bit of mesh you cut earlier.
Using your wire cutters remove the middle of this as shown
On one corner of the box you will find some litre measurements.
As shown mark.
Now position your mesh as close to the corner as possible so the mark is near the middle of your mesh.
Now mark the corners of the mesh, this is where you are going to make a hole for the water bottle.
Caution: Please ensure this is done in a well ventilated room. Use of a breathing mask and gloves is advised
Now using your soldering iron melt this small square out.
Now put your mesh into place, using the same method as before melt some small holes and use cable ties to secure the mesh into place and seal the cable ties.
Next we need to secure the small piece of wire that comes with the water bottle to the box, this will hold the water bottle in place. Just above and to the right mark on the lip of the box as shown below and make the small hole.
Just on the other side of the hole you just made you will see some more measurements, just above the 3/4 make a small mark as shown and make the hole.
Now put the small piece of wire in the first hole and into the second hole, and curve the end so that the bottle will sit in it. You might need to cut off any excess wire so its not to long.
Step 4 - The Box
Now on the opposite side to where we made the last hole for the water bottle we need to line up the mesh at the top end of the box.
Mark as shown below in each corner.
Now using the masking tape join up the marks so its clear where needs to be removed.
Caution: Please ensure this is done in a well ventilated room. Use of a breathing mask and gloves is advised
Now using the soldering iron carefully melt along the line and remove the tape when done.
Put the mesh into place and make the corner holes to hold the mesh in place as shown. Secure with cable ties and seal.
Now from the inside mark the following squares from the first cable tie, again top left. 7 + 8, 14 + 15, 20 + 21, 27 + 28. Also do this to the bottom and make the holes.
Secure with cable ties and seal. Now you should have a completed box.
If you have any questions or problems when using this guide feel free to Contact Us
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Thanks
~ Woodland mousery