Plastic Corner Shelves - Design Flaws & Suggestions

[eequine]

Hi everyone

We will be having some plastic shelves made in a local factory. We are making some design changes to the normal plastic shelves as there are a few design flaws IMO.

We will be replacing the plastic screw mechanisms with heavy duty metal screws, bolts and washers (to stop plastic screw thread disintegration and chewing)

We will be creating a sliding ability on the sides for the screws themselves (so these will now allow the screws to fit ANY cage whatsoever as you would move the position of the bolt to fit your own bar spacing)

We will be adding a lip around 1/3 of the front of the shelf on either side to allow any ladder to be hooked to the top, and give grip to animals who launch themselves at the shelf rather than use the ladder (one of my rats used to regularly try this with smooth sided shelves and fall off backwards every time.)

So, what I am wondering is if anyone else has any comments or suggestions about what would make plastic cage shelves better - any features you would like to see or things you dont like about existing plastic shelves on the market?

Thanks for any input

[stormsmuggler]

think you have just about covered everything there Can they come in purple

[rattypetrolhead]

I'd really like some dark blue ones

[eequine]

think you have just about covered everything there Can they come in purple

Yes, we will have a big range of colours, probably (given the number we have to run for a plastic batch) around five different colours to start with (we are open to suggestions which five!) Would you prefer Light purple or dark purple?

Also we have the option of putting GLITTER into some of the plastic colours... not 100% sure that will be popular with everyone? (If it was my choice I would cover everything with glitter!)

[eequine]

I'd really like some dark blue ones

Noted

Shame I cant put a poll on here really for colour selections to get the most popular five colours!

[littlebabyribbon]

I hate the lines and ridges on the ferplast ones it makes them hard to wipe

[siberiankiss]

OMG glitter. DO IT!

Edit:

I hate the lines and ridges on the ferplast ones it makes them hard to wipe

This really annoys me too. I don't know what their purpose is.

[toyah]

This really annoys me too. I don't know what their purpose is.

I think it's to give the rats more grip on the shelves, since you can't put any bedding on it.

I would put a lip round the entire shelf to allow a wee bit of substrate to be put on there - then you could more get away with it being very flat too, so should be easier to clean still (I think I am describing a hybrid corner litter tray / shelf)

I like the holes on the edges of the current Ferplast shelves, they mean I can hang hammocks etc. using them as anchor points

Wouldn't go for glitter, plainer colours are going to suit more colour schemes and be of wider appeal.

[stormsmuggler]

Oh excited Dark purple glittery ones I don't know how to set up those poll things but it can be done, maybe someone will come along and explain how to do it.

[Amzy]

pink glitter pink glitter pink glitter pink glitter pink glitter squeeeeeeee

edit: I also like the holes on the ferplast ones, like toyah has said

[siberiankiss]

I agree with having a lip around the entire shelf, not to put substrate on it (though it would be good if you could do that!) but because it's horrible when you go to unscrew a shelf and you're greeted by bits of digusting stuff they've shoved down the side

[Betterstar]

If you are getting rid of the holes then some way of hanging hammocks and toys from the shelves would be good.

I'm assuming glitter's non toxic?

[Amzy]

I'm assuming glitter's non toxic?

I assumed it was 'cos I use it with kids all the time

[msmara]

I think you covered my main gripes, so no suggestions there.

I'd love yellow, green & dark purple to be among the colours.

[Hanlou]

If you are getting rid of the holes then some way of hanging hammocks and toys from the shelves would be good.

I'm assuming glitter's non toxic?

Yeah I like using the holes for hanging toys and tubes etc as it gives me lots of extra anchor points for stuff going across the cage.