This article is from the Mar./Apr. 1987 AFRMA Rat & Mouse Tales news-magazine.

By Liz Fucci

1. MATERIALS NEEDED
   1. Wire coat hanger
   2. Pliers
   3. Large-blade screwdriver
   4. Screen cage top, ¼" mesh or larger
       
2. HOW TO CONSTRUCT
   1. Cut a 1½ ft. to 2 ft. length of wire (it can be broken to proper length by rapidly bending back and forth).
   2. Use a bottle as a template for loop size; “tie” the wire into a loop, pull both ends until loop is proper size.
   3. Hold loop in place with pliers; bend “legs” at point where wire crosses. (Fig. 2)
   4. From loop, measure legs to about ½ bottle length; bend legs at right angles backwards, away from loop. (Fig. 3)
   5. With about ½″ of leg ends, make hooks. (Fig. 3)
       
      
   6. Cut (or break) two 2″ lengths of wire. Make hooks as shown. (Fig. 4)
   7. Locate a spot at convenient place on screen top. Use screwdriver blade to enlarge one or two mesh holes to fit spout of bottle. (Fig. 5 & 5-A)
       
      
   8. Position loop of bottle holder over hole. Let hooked-ends of legs go through mesh. Hold in place and turn screen upside down. (Fig. 6)
   9. Using pliers, bend hooks until they firmly grip the mesh. (Fig. 7)
       
      
   10. With the two small 2″ hooks, fasten forward ends of legs, at bend, to the screen top. (Fig. 8 & 8-A)
        
       
       
       
   11. Insert bottle through loop, fitting spout into hole in mesh. (Fig. 9)

NOTE: This arrangement is not suitable for baby rats, unless an access-platform is made for them.

1. ELIMINATES - chewed bottle; cost of store bought hangers; the need for using cumbersome tin-cans to protect bottles; water slopping from piled-up shavings and bottle jiggling.
2. Makes watering fast and easy; creates more usable space in the cage; can use any size bottle; rats adapt instantly; it is ideal for use with single-occupant tanks.

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