Advice on this cage please lovely people!

[floss]

I am considering buying this cage.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LIBERTA-HAPPY-HOUSE-LARGE-INDOOR-FLIGHT-BIRD-PARAKEET-RAT-CHINCHILLA-DEGU-CAGE/131089875322?_trksid=p5197.c100068.m2280&_trkparms=aid%3D222006%26algo%3DSIC.FITP%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140205155511%26meid%3D8427834880239663466%26pid%3D100068%26prg%3D20140205155511%26rkt%3D6%26clkid%3D8427841849693772024&_qi=RTM1793693

I currently have two female degus and this will be their new home, they currently live in a thickets cage from PAH! I like this cage as I looks roomy for my two ladies without being too large for our small house. I also love the fact it's white!

I would of course make adaptations, I would cover the wire levels and add some additional wooden shelving I think. Plus I want some sort or Perspex or metal "guards" fitting to the outside to hold some of the bedding and poo they seem to love flicking about

I have few questions though b4 I take the plunge.

Does everyone think the bar spacing will be ok? 12mm?

What is best to cover the levels with? I've read allsorts wood, lino, carpet....are the latter two actually safe?

Can anyone tell me any disadvantages to this cage?

Thank you in advance for your advice

[klbishop]

hiya, looks pretty much same height as lokis and a little wider. good thing with metal is you can extend if needed. I think the bar gaps the same as lokis and he is yet to escape - except when I leave his door open !
RE covering we have a few different things weve tried, cardboard was really liked but destroyed, vinyl squares the same. CARPET was also liked but I worried they would ingest the fibres. loki now has wood that he cant get at the edges to chew - hope that helps
Looks pretty nice :-)

[Maravilla]

The floor area is only 80x50 cm which is too small for degus. I would really recommend to look for something of at least 100x50 cm as degus enjoy longer running ways (and also need them). Even with a couple of full levels you cannot compensate for the small base.

[saddlers]

I agree that ideally a cage that is 1m long is recommended although admittedly there aren't many stock cages that meet this requirement. Most are about the 900mm-950mm mark. That is why we do tend to recommend doing a DIY cage, but I know that is easier said than done for many people. We have a cage building post which gives information on different materials that can be used for shelf linings etc.

deguworld.proboards.com/thread/17316/cage-materials

That would definitely be an upgrade from a thickets, although you may find you will want to upgrade again, so if you can find a more suitable cage it may be better for the long term.

[floss]

Thanks for your advice everyone.

I have heard conflicting views regarding Degus preferring to run up "up" a tall cage or run "along" wider one. If you had to choose that is. I appreciate they are not climbing animals but they do like to jump up onto things. Does anyone actually know? Done any research?

My own house is tiny but has high ceilings (I mean TINY 25m2 in total) so I have to take into account practicalities and will probably get the above cage and upgrade gain when we buy a bigger house, the Degus do get to come out every day too.

[Maravilla]

There are surely studies about degu behaviour in wild, probably davx can tell you more.
But taking into account their natural habit and behaviour, it should be clear that they need longer running lengths. In wild, they do not climb on trees but it might happen that they can be seen on lower shrubs... sometimes. Nevertheless, they are ground living animals, running larger lengths looking for food, and they do live underground in tunnels they either have to dig themselves, or they occupy abandoned runnels from other animals.
Jumping is another thing. Younger degus do not have any problems (providing that it is not too high or too wide). But older animals just cannot or do not jump anymore, especially if they suffer from arthritis etc.

I had a cage with 80x50 cm for a couple of weeks for two single boys where they lived after getting neutered. There was no chance to run as after 3-4 steps they were at the other end.

Isn't there any chance to change the furniture or to use some as base for a bigger cage? I have one cage set upon a sideboard, so I have both: room for storing things and a long cage for my degus.

[floss]

Ok I have now decided on the SKY X Trial, with guards around the edge! it only seems a bit bigger but when your a Degu I suppose it makes all the difference! It will also be over sized for the room it's in but hey, who cares if the Degus are happy!

I am stocking up on toys can anyone confirm these are all Degu safe? I've checked and think they are but want to make sure! - thank you!

www.viovet.co.uk/Boredom_Breaker_Rat_And_Ferret_Cargo_Net/c11885/?quick_find=115533

www.viovet.co.uk/Boredom_Breaker_Chill_N_Chew_Mat/c11924/?quick_find=115528

www.viovet.co.uk/Boredom_Breaker_Dandelion_Nettle_Roots_for_Small_Animals/c15821/?quick_find=138866

www.viovet.co.uk/Boredom_Breaker_Summerfield_for_Small_Animals/c15853/?quick_find=138186

www.viovet.co.uk/Naturals_Toys_Hay_N_Hide/c5526/?quick_find=115964

www.viovet.co.uk/Classic_Rustic_Fun_Sticks_for_Small_Animals/c15326/?quick_find=126370

[bigholly]

Hi sorry to hijack but would this make a good cage for my 2?

www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10204619144665739&set=gm.895028400526447&type=1&theater

[Maravilla]

Cannot say anything as I cannot see the cage.