Objective To study method for testing the technical parameters of individually ventilated cages (IVCs) and evaluating the stability of IVC parameters. Methods In accordance with the method of GB 14925-2010 and DB32 / T 972 - 2006, IVCs that were placed in the conventional and barrier environments were tested respectively. Correlations between the micro- and macro-environments were analyzed. Two method for testing air changes per hour (ACH) were compared. The relative deviation ( based on 5 diagonal cages) of IVC and cage leakage rates were also calculated. Results The temperature and humidity of the micro-environment were positively correlated with those of the macro-environment. The ACH was significantly higher when tested using the method of GB 14925 - 2010 compared with using the flowmeter method . The relative deviations of ACH, noise, and airflow velocity were smaller than that of the hydrostatic pressure difference. Cage leakage rates were high, at 75%. Conclusions Use of IVCs was limited to the macro-environment. The hydrostatic pressure difference showed a low stability, which was correlated with cage leakage rates. The result of this study provide a reference for formulating national or trade standards.