Hello James ! Hope you are well.
I am very pleased to see you plan on building an enclosure for your pet degus. I am also very glad to see your plan/sketch and most importantly your willingness to accept advice.
Here are some of the things you will need to work out in your next sketch.
Cage size; keep in mind degus are ground dwelling animals that value surface area (running space) far more than climbing opportunities. As a recommended minimum the cage base should be around 100x50 cm for two or three degus.
I am not sure what size cage you plan on building, but I thought it important to mention.
(Approx. recommended min size; 100x50x100 cm)
The first thing that strikes me in your plan is the waste of valuable space. One reason why so many people build cages for their degus is to provide them with large, roomy enclosures.
The best way to give your degus the space they need is to use the cage height to add levels.
Not small ledges...but actual complete (full) levels. In a 1 meter tall cage, it is quite simple to add two full levels.
In your sketch the cage base would be the only true running space available to the degus.
By adding these large levels, you will multiply their running/living space...something which is vital.
It is very important you keep this in mind for your next planning.
There is no point in building a cage if it is not going to be used to the full.
Next would be the lack of a base.
In your sketch there is no sign of a base that could hold bedding or hay. Each time you open the cage door(s), bedding would spill out all over the floor. The base of the cage needs to be deep enough to accomodate a generous amount of bedding.
Bedding not only absorbs urine and odours, but it will also protect the wood for urine stains.
Thin strips of Kiln dried pine should also be nailed to the outer edge of the levels for the same reasons.
I am guessing you plan on using wire mesh for the front doors of the cage. If so, you will find a deep cage base to be vital...without a base, the degus will throw food, bedding and hay through the mesh.
These are some of the things to think about.
Here are two sketches some have found useful.
This will give you a good idea of the basic construct of the degu cage/enclosure.
Hope this helps and keep up the good work !
Looking forward to hearing more about your project !
Jordan