ejay
Warbling Degu
Posts: 36
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Hiya
Jan 28, 2011 17:35:11 GMT
Post by ejay on Jan 28, 2011 17:35:11 GMT
I'm new and very glad to have found this forum.
I have owned rats in the past and am now researching degus care and behaviour. So pleased to find good consistent information here, as there seems to be lots of conflicting advice online and in pet stores.
My intention is to save up for and/ or get help to build the best cage I can afford and other equipment , and of course the cost of 2-3 degus too, over the coming months. Maybe after Easter, so I have plenty of time to read and learn more.
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Hiya
Jan 28, 2011 19:23:10 GMT
Post by Cherpi on Jan 28, 2011 19:23:10 GMT
I got my two degus free from a guy on this forum, it's best not to buy them from large pet stores like pets at home as they may be inbred and if you breed them the pups will be unhealthy and may develop serious illness's. Post in the adoption part of the site Welcome!
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ejay
Warbling Degu
Posts: 36
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Hiya
Jan 28, 2011 20:18:11 GMT
Post by ejay on Jan 28, 2011 20:18:11 GMT
Thanks Cherpi. Yes I would much prefer to buy direct from a breeder or adopt. I have seen the decline in the rat's life expectancy over the past 20 years and believe pet shop breeding has a big part to play in that.
I will certainly keep an eye out on the adoption forum, I am in no rush though, would prefer to wait and make sure I have everything ready and know as much as possible first.
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Hiya
Jan 28, 2011 20:57:31 GMT
Post by degus123 on Jan 28, 2011 20:57:31 GMT
You could also look at sites such as preloved, could be someone close to you looking for a new home for their Degus. Really good to see you are researching etc before making the step, as alot of people jump in and get them not realising they are not the same as other rodents to keep.
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sarahh
Foraging Degu
Posts: 65
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Hiya
Jan 29, 2011 3:32:22 GMT
Post by sarahh on Jan 29, 2011 3:32:22 GMT
Hi ejay welcome to the forum. Awe you had ratties I have 22 male rats. I know what you mean though rats life expectancy has declined alot over the years the majority of mine are rescues, also the awful mycoplasma/respiratory problems. I have degus now 5 rescues. I have only had degus since august so still new to them myself.
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Hiya
Jan 29, 2011 7:31:43 GMT
Post by nickymills30 on Jan 29, 2011 7:31:43 GMT
hi hun, welcome to the forum, i'm not to far from you, just outside cannock. hope you find some furries very soonxxx
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ejay
Warbling Degu
Posts: 36
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Hiya
Jan 29, 2011 12:27:56 GMT
Post by ejay on Jan 29, 2011 12:27:56 GMT
Thanks Degus123, I hadn't heard of preloved before. Had a look and the local home seekers don't have cages and the ones with cages are far away , but I will certainly keep an eye out though especially once I get a cage built. I'm an organisational freak, I like to plan things way in advance and have a shopping list I keep adding to.
That's a lot of rats Sarah, I had 7 ( and 7 rabbits, 3 dogs, 2 cats, a hamster , stick insects and gecko) at one point.
Hi and thanks Nicky , and smux... I'm a lady ... lol
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Hiya
Jan 29, 2011 13:53:49 GMT
Post by degus123 on Jan 29, 2011 13:53:49 GMT
There is of course lots of classified ad sites, but I like preloved, and use it for many things. For your research have you checked out Degutopia?It's full of info, it also has a cage calculator, you enter the measurements of your planned cage and it comes back with a guide of how many degus you can have living happily in there. There is also a german site with the same thing, but this one is a bit more strict www.octodons.ch/rechner/?lang=en
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ejay
Warbling Degu
Posts: 36
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Hiya
Jan 29, 2011 14:28:14 GMT
Post by ejay on Jan 29, 2011 14:28:14 GMT
I'm playing with my tape measure and there are some pencil marks appearing on the wall in my living room ,where I intend putting the cage. Looks like I can have approx 20 (D)x 42 ( L) x 42(H) for a wooden base unit and have a John Hopewell or thicket cage as top tier.
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ejay
Warbling Degu
Posts: 36
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Hiya
Jan 29, 2011 17:15:51 GMT
Post by ejay on Jan 29, 2011 17:15:51 GMT
Thanks Smux,
In considering that option I quickly realised it made sense. It dawned on me that if the wood back and sides do not continue for the full height of the unit, then I would have a lot of food and bedding and mess falling from the wire mesh down the back, which would be murder to clean.
So I'm probably going to do glass sliding doors on the bottom level and wire mesh doors and top . This will be better for ventilation too. (Tv unit at the end so I can have wires all enclosed too)
Definitely turning into a big project, but better than buying a cage that is too small, ugly and messy with it.
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ejay
Warbling Degu
Posts: 36
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Hiya
Jan 29, 2011 18:54:31 GMT
Post by ejay on Jan 29, 2011 18:54:31 GMT
Put my intended measurements into that calculator. Seems I can have up to 7 degus in that size.
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Hiya
Jan 30, 2011 7:51:29 GMT
Post by nickymills30 on Jan 30, 2011 7:51:29 GMT
thats brill size for a cage. unfortunately, i have no rescues in at the mo, but if i do, will post them on here first.
I have 7 of my own, 5 boys and 2 girls. I did think about re-homing my girls, but just couldn't part with them, sorry xxx
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Hiya
Jan 30, 2011 21:26:08 GMT
Post by deguconvert on Jan 30, 2011 21:26:08 GMT
Hey Ejay! Welcome to the forum! You proposed cage sounds massive! It'll be great!
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