Is my cage large enough for 3 rats?

I have 3 young male rats and the cage I keep 'em in is 30';L x 18';W x 18';H. It is sold as a chinchilla/guinea pig cage.





Is it large enough for three male rats.





The rats are all young, and kinda small right now.Is my cage large enough for 3 rats?
I would be cautious about using this cage for an extended period as it really is not big enough for long term use for your 3 boys.





Over crowding cages (whether for males or females) is never a good idea as it tend to encourage less than desirable behaviors like barbering, fighting, self mutilation etc.





Even at a young age rats require fairly large areas as they are very active and enjoy having room to run and play. There are a few general cage calculators that can help you find the cage that is the most suitable for your 3 boys. Generally speaking they require approx 2 cubic feet per rat.





For now, since this is what you have i would try to make some additional platforms etc to give the guys some levels to allow them some of their own space.





I hope this helps


Is my cage large enough for 3 rats?
Here is a wonderful tool to tell you this very thing: http://www.rattycorner.com/odds/calc.sht鈥?/a>





According to the site, it is only large enough for two rats.





One of the biggest problems I have seen with rats in small cages (especially if they are male) is by the time they mature, and get more territorial, they will have some aggressive fights.





Please do not listen to the person that said is does not matter how large the cage is. It really, very much does! You need to be taking the rats out of the cage for at least one hour, each and every day, but they will still be spending 23 or less hours cooped up in that tiny cage. By the time they grow up, they will be fighting regualrily, and stressing themselves out, as well as getting hysically hurt.





I suggest you do not separate them, but get a larger cage. All rats need to live with at least one other rat, and a group of three is perfect. The only thing wrong is the cage size, so if you would only get (or build!) a larger one, they will be very happy through our adulthood.
The size of the cage does not matter very much if you plan on letting your ratties out on a regular basis (at least 3 times a week). So a small is not a issue as long as they still have plenty of area to play in outside of their cage. A friend of mine always says ';you don't have to live in a mansion to be happy, as long as your house is clean and you have good food and water, you are happy'; So as long as your boys get out to explore (this could even just be in a bathroom with some goodies hidden around the room) they should be fine in the smaller cage





tmcuriouscritters@yahoo.com
The sight I gave you will answer all your questions. Just scroll down to housing for mice or rats. It will have the dimensions you need for the amount of pets you have. It also has info for their health, food, toys exc.. Good luck


Jamie
Its barely suitable for two adults, but three youngsters will be ok for a bit. I would never consider this cage suitable for one guinea pig or chinchilla.
It's good for now. But when they get bigger you will need a bigger one.