Rodent housing planning framework
Build the cage census by species and room
List mouse and rat populations separately, including occupied cages, quarantine or holding needs, spare capacity, and expected growth. Do not use a single total cage count when cage dimensions, handling clearances, and rack capacities differ by species.
Choose fixed and mobile equipment by operating role
Fixed central exhaust racks suit planned housing positions connected to the facility system. Mobile ventilated equipment can support defined transfer, recovery, temporary holding, or continuity tasks. The equipment schedule should state the intended role of each unit instead of treating mobility as a substitute for the room housing plan.
Test density against daily work
More cage positions are useful only when operators can reach cages safely, complete observation and cage-changing tasks, move racks or carts through doors, and transfer soiled items to the wash area. Review aisle clearance, cage-changing capacity, cleaning access, and support equipment before increasing the planned rack count.
Prepare a species-specific RFQ
For each room, provide species, cage family, occupied and spare cage targets, proposed rack rows, fixed or mobile role, room drawing, exhaust information, and the expected cage-changing route. This makes mouse and rat requirements comparable without collapsing them into one generic rodent housing request.