My Homemade Pet Rat Cage - Custom Large Cage That is Easy to Build

The other remaining 3 foot length of shelving is used for the roof. I just placed in on top, with the bent edge facing up. You could have the bent edge facing down, if this doesn't leave too much space between the roof and the back of the cage. However, I liked the fit and the look better with the edge facing up. Use several zip ties to hinge the roof to the back of the cage. A couple of bungee cords can be used to hold the front edge of the roof firmly in place, though your rats might be inclined to chew them, so be careful (rhe roof isactually quite heavy and my boys don't seem to try to escape even when I forget to bungeee the roof closed). Metal clips or hooks could also be used to fashion some sort of roof lock for the front.

I do really like that the entire roof is hinges, because it gives great access to the interior of the cage for cleaning.