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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Nov 29, 2011 8:55:41 GMT
Before I start off, I want to thank everyone but especially Amie, Mel, Stormsong and Nexissa. This latest article I am presenting to the forum turns around the four of you, your cages and your experiences. Also thank you to Fred, for CARA. The link to CARA has been posted onto the cage building article last week, but it is on this latest guide as well ! A big thank you ! I have neglected posting on the forum much this past week, but I have been busy writing, putting together and finally assembling this new guide on METAL CAGES ! web.archive.org/web/20120214155804/http://octodondegus.weebly.com/how-to-transform-your-metal-cage-into-a-suitable-degu-home.htmlAgain, this would not be possible without the forum and the members here and it has become obvious to readers how much progress we have made here. I will be browsing for other cages and examples... If you want to share your own project, please do so on here ! They may very well end up on the guide. I am hoping to see the article grow. I have always encouraged DIY wooden housing, but only because I feel they are the best way to accomodate the needs of degus. Now, many members have demonstrated how a metal cage can be transformed to accomodate those needs and I think it is important to share these experiences with all degu owners. Share your thoughts !
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Post by fred on Nov 29, 2011 15:44:50 GMT
This is great Jordan; it is very important that we help degu owners, who for some reason can't (yet) embark on a DIY project, to optimise their cages. The Xtrail is sold in North America as Critter Nation - Double Level and should be available everywhere. Maybe the guide could have a brief section on this cage specifically and giving practical advice how to do the wooden trays? In a different thread ( deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Cage&thread=9439&page=1#71069 ) melrohner yesterday asked about improving this cage. Perhaps we can tempt her to try making the trays with some detailed practical advice?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2011 18:31:55 GMT
Another great article, well done! Only problem is, I was done with the cage section on my degu website, but now see I have to expand the article on metal cages I am glad that you have included my cage as well, hopefully all these modified cages will be helpful to other degu owners in the same situation that I was in I think a section dedicated to the Xtrail (or other common cages, like the Thickets one) would be a great addition, since so many new degu owners have these cages. I'll do something similar on my Norwegian page when I get the time for it
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Post by malteser60 on Nov 30, 2011 9:24:11 GMT
Brilliant article again Jordan! I think it's important to have this kind of article as not everybody is in a position to build their own cage, especially if you're lacking the tools.
I was wondering if it's worth including a section about maximising the tall, narrow cages. I know they're not ideal at all for degus (and thus not to encourage such a cage) but I also know some owners are stuck with space and thus limited in the type of cage they can have. So, for example, showing how you can have the full ledges and increase running area by cleverly placing the smaller ledges in an upwards circle so as to increase the running space. I can show you photos of my cage (soon to be the ex-cage, yay!!) and before I get rid of this cage I'm going to try and video the degus running up and down and how the ledge placements can help.
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Post by fred on Nov 30, 2011 9:37:51 GMT
I was wondering if it's worth including a section about maximising the tall, narrow cages. I know they're not ideal at all for degus (and thus not to encourage such a cage) but I also know some owners are stuck with space and thus limited in the type of cage they can have. So, for example, showing how you can have the full ledges and increase running area by cleverly placing the smaller ledges in an upwards circle so as to increase the running space. I can show you photos of my cage (soon to be the ex-cage, yay!!) and before I get rid of this cage I'm going to try and video the degus running up and down and how the ledge placements can help. I am sorry but I think that this would be a bad idea. IMHO, the “not enough space” argument is not a valid one. I am all for being sympathetic towards degu owners who got the wrong cage because of false information, and I think the forum's cage size recommendations address this well, but somewhere you have to draw a line. I do not think a degu cage with a length of less than 90cm is justifiable for animal welfare reasons. If someone is really in a position that they don't have 90cm to spare, they need to do the decent thing and find a new home for their degus.
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nubbin
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 237
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Post by nubbin on Dec 8, 2011 10:46:32 GMT
the only thing I need to do is add a guard to my xtrail so i dont need to hoover the floor every night
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Post by amie on Dec 8, 2011 11:01:11 GMT
Fred, I'm in a position where two of my groups are being kept in smaller cages, with a lengh of 80cm. This is because I broke the back panel on their bigger cage and the others fell out with Elijah. I'm rehoming the three, but does this mean it would be the forums opinion that I should rehome Sammy and Dean because I've just lost my job and don't know when I can fix their cage? That to me sounds wrong.
I don't mean this to sound bad if it does. I'm simply curious as to where that 'line' is and why/how we can bend it?
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Post by fred on Dec 8, 2011 11:47:03 GMT
I think you may have misunderstood by personal opinion, amie. Which is that owners who are not willing to make 90cm space for their degus, should not keep any. I find it very difficult to envisage a flat where it would be possible to find 80cm but impossible to find 90cm.
It is a completely different matter if new owners have been falsely informed or where there is an unforeseen or emergency situation (as in your case). I have no doubt whatsoever that you will provide Sammy and Dean with more space when you can. So my comment isn't applicable to your situation at all.
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Post by amie on Dec 8, 2011 12:16:23 GMT
Sorry if offended you, Fred! I was just trying to understand the opinions of forum members and what we see as acceptable. I personally, hate the fact that they're in a smaller cage at the moment, but I also realise.... they were in a bigger cage and will be in a bigger cage again. Sorry if I misunderstood!
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Post by fred on Dec 8, 2011 13:16:27 GMT
No worries, I wasn't offended, just a bit surprised because this ..they were in a bigger cage and will be in a bigger cage again. was always clear to me What I like about this forum here is that IMHO we find the right balance between caring for degu welfare and being sympathetic to owners who for one reason or other have to temporarily put some restrictions on their degus' housing conditions. As you know, I am also on the German DeguForum where the minimum size of L/H x W x H/L of 120x50x100cm is a forum rule. I have to say (Apology and Maravilla please look away now ) that I do not like one bit the way this is “enforced”. They have two members, which I always envisage as a pair of Rottweilers, who descend on each new member to find a missing centimetre here or there I don't think this is very helpful. Having said this, there are two “excuses” which I personally don't believe to be valid. The first is the space; if you don't have 90 cm, downsize your plasma screen TV! The second is the longer term lack of funds. If one has a bit of time to look around, it is perfectly possible to find a large enough cage for £50. If anyone told me they can't save this over two to three months, I would indeed argue they shouldn't keep degus, or any pet for that matter, at all.
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Post by amie on Dec 8, 2011 13:29:05 GMT
Agreed! If you have pets, you beg, steal of borrow to give them what they need! I can say that with full conviction because even though I'm out of work, I've still managed to pay over £1000 in vets bills this month and I'm always searching ebay for cheap cages to attach to mine. There's ALWAYS a way to find money for your pets and always a way to make more space for them.
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Post by lildevilrose on Jan 29, 2012 13:27:23 GMT
hi
as a new member who is just finding out about degus i totally agree that you should be understanding to new membe whos cages are a bit on the samll size. the pics of other peoples cages are very helpful as it really gives you a good idea of where to start.
lildevilrose
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Post by butters on Jan 29, 2012 14:07:26 GMT
As you know, I am also on the German DeguForum where the minimum size of L/H x W x H/L of 120x50x100cm is a forum rule. So folow the rules otherwise.... Very bad thing, new members will leave and that's only bad for the degus and the owners. I'm new here but i like it very much that the forum members here are not so judgmental.
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 29, 2012 20:36:10 GMT
There is DEFINITELY room for new members who have smaller cages than what we recommend here. Where we would become a little more foreward is if a member were changing up their cage to put their degu into something "better" but the choices they are making still fall outside of/below the recommendations for cage size and surface space. We know and totally understand that there are going to be owners who join, likely the majority, who have been directed toward cages that are actually unsuitable for the needs of their degus. It is our hope and goal that through spending time on the forum, reading through our informations, interacting with the more experienced members, etc. that there will be a growing revelation/understanding of the needs/requirements that degus have for running space, larger caging, out of the cage play time, their diet and nutrition, companionship, and so on. We know that many of these may be completely different than what they have previously been told by petstores or other people, and so there is a period of adjustment that is needed by the owner as the take all these things in. Some will take longer than others, depending on personality and so forth, and that's OK. We aim to see improvements as they can be managed, and hope to educate any who come "before they have purchased cages" as to the better/best choices they can make.
Where we would become a bit testy is if a member that has had their degus in excellent conditions, suddenly opted to revert to conditions much worse for no apparent reason. We know life happens, and that it can throw curves that we must do our best to adjust to, and sometimes that means going smaller in many areas . . . but . . . if there seemed to be no reason for the decrease in the care of their degus, there would be an outcry.
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Post by Karma on Jan 29, 2012 21:34:59 GMT
i defintely agree. There will be many cases where (like in my case) someone absolutely falls in love with specific degus and don't have time to figure out the best setup before hand.
There are times too where time frame changes. Example: I talked to a rep BEFORE I took my degus home (so back november 25ish) and was told that they were just starting to carry the midwest critter nation and they were still waiting for the cargo to come from china (because of course they aren't made in the US). So I thought "great, I'll find out price before christmas and probably have the cage in janurary - so the cheap 28 gallon will work for the babies for the 2 months". While, it's almost february and the cage still isn't in north america yet so I don't have a price!! And yes the 28 gallon tank is way too small now since they grew so fast and thus the goos get 3 hours minimum playtime in the bathroom every day.
I think there should be a small section on how to maximum a smaller cage if the life situation requires it for a short term. What happens if someone got a couple of degus and suddenly has something happen and a large cage is put on hold for a month or two? It would be better to give a couple of tips to maximum what you have AND educate that this is for short term only. Of course the best would be to have all degus in massive cages but sometimes this doesn't happen. Little tips would help the degus out to have the best life in a smaller cage for the time needed in less than recommended cage. Just emphasis this section is for only for short term until a bigger cage can be found.
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emmas
Warbling Degu
Posts: 40
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Post by emmas on Feb 1, 2012 21:56:38 GMT
now I feel awful.... i have had my degus (at one time 3 of them, mostly 2, and now sadly, just 1 until I find a friend) in a too small cage which isnt right for them.... They have had metal (but luckily never any feet problems) and only 1 full level plus floor, but with a big wooden box up top which made another half level. I was sold this cage with the degus. poo. better start looking for a new one i think....... just to add, the degu who sadly passed this weekend was 9 and only had a blip of illness a fortnight ago. apart from that he was hale and hearty despite the reduced living space
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Feb 1, 2012 22:27:39 GMT
@ Emmas Hello ! The article was not writen to make you or anyone else feel bad. Many degu owners, like yourself have been sold wrong housing products or given erroneous information regarding amount of space needed. The important thing is that readers realise they have been misinformed and sold an unsuitable cage and take quick action to correct this. I am very glad you plan on fixing this problem. I would like to add that I am sorry to hear about your loss. 9 years is quite advanced by degu standards. I am also glad to hear you plan on finding your now-lonely degu a companion(s). Have you given thought to building a cage instead of buying one ? This might be something worth considering in your case. Have a look here: octodondegus.weebly.com/how-to-build-a-degu-cage.html
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emmas
Warbling Degu
Posts: 40
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Post by emmas on Feb 2, 2012 10:13:31 GMT
I know the article wasnt designed to upset!! It has got me thinking, especially as I have found 2 boys to come as company for my remaining goo. I have been looking in envy at some of the beautiful cages that people have, and I am wondering whether i might be able to build something - I do have a drill and jigsaw!! (havent really used them yet) so i am hoping to address all the issues. It will also address the mess issue and enable them to come back into the main living area. We have a farm, so there are plenty of suitable branches for us to use, as we have lots of different types of trees. I am also going to raid the agricultural barn to see if there is anything there i can bastardise as its choc a block full of discarded (I think my FIL says 'stored') bits and pieces.
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Post by smithomatic on Feb 2, 2012 19:51:19 GMT
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yorkiepup
Foraging Degu
I am new to gooo
Posts: 89
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Post by yorkiepup on Apr 1, 2012 14:41:56 GMT
hey some of us got missold cages please dont give us a rocket gently guide us, I am a newbie and a bit nervous about doing the wrong thing, I find it hard to cope with people saying I creul for having a wrong cage its upsetting, I sure hope I can adjust my cage to fit in with the minimum requirements you guys approve of.
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