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Post by melrohner on Nov 23, 2011 16:55:53 GMT
Okay, I have this cage, which is pretty common here in the US for rats and ferrets: www.amazon.com/Midwest-Critter-Nation-Animal-Habitat/dp/B001NJ0DAYMy degus have been in it for quite a while, and lately I've just really been wanting to make it better. I've ordered some hammocks and I'm definitely going to find some sort of pan for the bottom (it comes with an almost-flat tray that I usually line with towels or fleece) to start using more bedding. I'd love to make a few more wooden levels but I'm not sure that I'm capable. Does anybody have any suggestions of ways to make this cage better for degus? Also, one of the major problems I have is poop/bedding ending up on the floor (they usually have a dig box with some bedding or hay). I could sweep 10 times a day and still have problems. I'm thinking of putting up some sort of guard, but the way the front door is set up will make it difficult. Again, anyone have any ideas for solutions? Thanks! |
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Post by malteser60 on Nov 23, 2011 18:30:30 GMT
I know one way in which members have improved the cage is to make a deep(ish) tray for both levels so that less bedding is kicked out. Base made out of any sheet of wood (mdf, plywood, etc), then the edges out of kiln dried pine (or kiln dried softwood is good too) so it's not toxic for the goos. With a cage like that I would also recommend placing lots of ledges that you place in an upwards spiral around the cage. This increases the running distance they have (imagine walking up a spiral staircase basicallly). For my current (and soon to be replaced cage with a DIY one) I bought the mega shelf pack from this seller on ebay. Maybe you can find something similar from sellers in the US. Another thing to try is to use perspex to line the cage from the outside to stop stuff from being flung out of the cage. Ultimately, however, only a wooden (normally DIY) cage will fully stop the poos and bedding flinging that the degus so love to do! |
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Post by deguconvert on Nov 24, 2011 0:24:01 GMT
I would suggest that you can add a new full level to each of the levels (sections). Or at least a level that would create a level about 75% of the floor space. This would also accomodate a larger amount of running/living space being added to the cage for the degus. Degus love tubes to run through and to chew on. Poster tubes or the tubes that carpet is wrapped around are great for putting into the cages. They are paper based and so the degus can destroy as they like, or just play with them.
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Post by fred on Nov 24, 2011 19:25:46 GMT
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Post by melrohner on Nov 28, 2011 18:04:25 GMT
Thanks everyone for the suggestions!
Malteser, I would love to make wooden trays/shelves for their cage. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't be able to make them myself, and I don't know of anyone who could make them for me. I'm probably going to be buying a pretty expensive metal pan for the bottom of the cage instead. I would love to be able to make a wooden tray for the shelves, but again, just don't think I'm capable. I looked at that shelf pack on ebay, and was ready to order one until I figured out that they don't ship to the US! And I've thought about plexiglass (which I'm thinking is the same thing as perspex). I'm still considering using it - I just need to figure out where to get it and whether or not I'll be able to cut/modify it to use on my cage.
Deguconvert, I will try adding more tubes. My first hammock came in the mail today so I'm ready to clean their cage out and re-decorate.
Thanks Fred, I've actually seen those pictures and I'm super jealous! I wish I could make wooden trays/shelves like that, if so that would be exactly what I would do!
Thanks everyone! I'm not on this board much, but I'll try to keep updated on my progress. Any more suggestions/instructions on how to make shelves would be appreciated!
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Post by kristyblitz on Dec 7, 2011 17:11:20 GMT
My Degu's absolutely love hanging, swinging toys, so I got a few bird toys that they could get on and hung them from the top. The good thing with these cages is there's plenty of room to hang toys from and space to put them on the floor.
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