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Post by smithomatic on Apr 1, 2012 22:02:31 GMT
@ yorkiepup
We would never call anyone cruel unless they made it clear that they wished to keep their degus living in unsuitable diggs. You are not cruel for putting your degu in a small cage, but it is cruel to keep a degu in a small cage - see the difference?
As long as you intend to better yourself and your degus by continuously improving their living standards you are not cruel. Keeping your degus in bad conditions becuase it suits you is cruel.
There is no need to feel upset, just try to take it on board and do whats good for the goos, take the moral high ground, as long as you are always trying to improve you are doing the right thing.
I hope this helps and makes sense to you
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mhb
Burrowing Degu
Mystified and Entertained on a daily basis
Posts: 173
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Post by mhb on Apr 3, 2012 7:42:08 GMT
To echo what smithomatic has said most people (from what I have seen), including myself were mis-sold Degus and were completely unprepared for the experience.
I felt absolutely terrible having bought the expensive starter kit, my partner shelled out for two Degus and there were three in the shop so I ended up putting my hand in my pocket to make sure there wasn't one left on her own (at least they gave that information). That was nearly a year ago and you can imagine my distress when in September they began to act out and under go a change in behaviour and I fretted and lost sleep for ages about how to improve the situation as money is tight at the moment for everyone (especially if you have had to have bought a house, had to have it rewired, a brand new kitchen and boiler in six months!) but by being canny you can find ways to improve their environment.
I have not seen anyone on this site berate someone or try and make them feel bad, just to try and help people correct the misinformation they have received for the good of the animals and your experience with them. Some people may read replies as short and to the point, but honest I have never felt unless an animals welfare is that the people on here are anything but welcoming and open to gently guiding.
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Post by banditcuster on Apr 2, 2013 1:35:04 GMT
heh, my three lived in a rat cage that wasn't even big enough for 3 rats... and if i hadn't poked around to find this place they probably would still be in the cage, or moved into my 40g long tank, since i know someone else in the area that has three boys they keep in a 55. But my cat was nice enough to let me use her cage and modify it to a degu cage that is far from being tall enough for goos, but gave them plenty of floor space and almost another full level for them, until i have gotten the money to buy them a more proper cage for them.
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Post by gingerneil on Apr 10, 2014 21:54:03 GMT
My very first post here.... So go easy! I have a metal cage and will be building wooden trays. www.worldstores.co.uk/p/Lazy_Bones_3_Tier_Rodent_Cage.htm Should these fully replace the metal shelves/floors and be attached directly to the sides of the cage? Or should they sit on top of the metal floor/shelves? Does it really matter?? I guess sitting them on top makes them easier to remove and replace? I'm currently getting the cage setup and will be buying the Degus in the next few weeks. Any tips much appreciated!
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 11, 2014 12:31:49 GMT
Hi Gingerneil, welcome to the forum If the current shelves are in the right place, it's probably easier and stronger to sit the trays on top and just add any extra support. You can use metal cable tie type things or brackets attached with nuts and washers. If you are making trays with edging on all sides (and around any holes), then you can use a waterproof base like melamine furniture board or add vinyl tiles to plywood, and then use softwood/ pine for the chewable edging. You get the best of both worlds then, safely chewable but urine proof. I'm afraid I need to mention that cage isn't big enough. If you already bought it you could double it up or add another cage to it, or if it's brand new maybe you could return it. You need to provide the equivalent of 3 layers of 100x50cm. This will only seem crazy big until you meet them and see how clever and lively they are, and then you will be wanting to give them a whole room! See cage size guide and show us your cage threads: deguworld.proboards.com/thread/9396/forums-cage-size-recommendationsdeguworld.proboards.com/thread/6918/show-cage?page=20Please have a look around and make yourself at home on the forum
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Post by gingerneil on Apr 12, 2014 5:17:33 GMT
Thanks for the advice. I popped into my local Ridgeons yesterday and picked up some pine t&g floorboards. I've done the first level and it looks great. As for the cage size, the little fellas will have almost free run outside of the cage - I'm going to order one or more of these (or similar). Will they be able to escape over the top? m.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/runs_fencing/73280/6_sided/278253
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 15, 2014 21:06:10 GMT
Can someone have a look at the link? It doesn't show up on my computer.
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Post by yasmin on Apr 15, 2014 22:05:34 GMT
"This metal run is a great space for small pets and can be used in the garden or inside the home. The narrow bar spacing (1 cm) is perfect for small pets such as hamsters and mice. The run is easy to put up and take down. If you want to give your pet a real treat you can fix two runs together and create a huge run where your pet can chase around. It also prevents your pet from chewing and gnawing at your furniture or electrical cables. The Metal Run for Small Pets at a glance: 6 galvanised cage elements each 48 x 25 cm (W x H) Distance between bars 1 cm (horizontal), 19 cm (vertical)" Looks like the Critter Playpens sold by Living World. This is designed for hamsters and mice – I think a degu could easily jump over it and probably would actually enjoy the challenge.
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Post by saddlers on Apr 16, 2014 9:32:33 GMT
I agree the height will be the issue, some of ours have cleared 60cm. You could possibly use it as a frame and secure something to it to increase the height. They are also very good at getting leverage of any horizontal bar or similar, so a smooth surface up to about 65cm is what I would recommend.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 16, 2014 14:09:06 GMT
Thanks for posting the details, Yasmin! I was curious to know what I couldn't see, and you have relieved that curiousity! I have to agree, a degu would very gladly undertake that challenge to clear the top of the run and go sight seeing on the outside of it. As Saddlers recommends, a smooth surface for a span would be a very helpful deterrent to the aspiring high jumping athlete in the soul of most degus.
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Post by toothbrush on Apr 16, 2014 14:30:40 GMT
"This metal run is a great space for small pets and can be used in the garden or inside the home. The narrow bar spacing (1 cm) is perfect for small pets such as hamsters and mice. The run is easy to put up and take down. If you want to give your pet a real treat you can fix two runs together and create a huge run where your pet can chase around. It also prevents your pet from chewing and gnawing at your furniture or electrical cables. The Metal Run for Small Pets at a glance: 6 galvanised cage elements each 48 x 25 cm (W x H) Distance between bars 1 cm (horizontal), 19 cm (vertical)" Looks like the Critter Playpens sold by Living World. This is designed for hamsters and mice – I think a degu could easily jump over it and probably would actually enjoy the challenge. Even hamsters and mice can get out in about two seconds flat. They're one of the most badly researched things around! For a while I used the panels to securely block off bits of my room I didn't want pets going (boxing it off type thing), but blocking things off is very different free-range-wise to keeping pets in,.
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Post by gingerneil on Apr 16, 2014 15:38:30 GMT
Thanks all. I'm sure Ill find a use for it somewhere!
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Post by cheekyfilly on Dec 20, 2015 12:29:19 GMT
Hi all, I am keen to edge my levels off to prevent bedding being kicked out l. I have the same cage as Mel in the pictures in the article. What wood am I best using and how would I go about fixing it so the little darling wont pull it all over but so that I can still get the trays in and out for cleaning?
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Post by winic1 on Dec 20, 2015 13:57:31 GMT
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Post by cheekyfilly on Dec 20, 2015 14:42:15 GMT
Just what I was looking for! Thank you
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Post by Karma on Dec 21, 2015 15:09:55 GMT
Thanks all. I'm sure Ill find a use for it somewhere! I use it as ladders ..... To get in and out of their critter nation. Easy shelve bases in the cage (cardboard over the top), horizontal blockages when they found out how to get on to the book shelve to jump over their 36" play Pen, put over top of my cables so my new cat won't chew them ..... Etc etc etc There are tons of uses for it, lol. Just be creative! Oh the original use which didn't work ..... I originally bought it to block off the base boards they were chewing in the bathroom but they just grabbed it, pulled it forward, jumped over and continued chewing wood. Brats!
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