Chai
Newborn Degu
Posts: 10
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Post by Chai on May 16, 2007 17:29:50 GMT
Hello Everyone...
I have a few questions about toys and such suitable for degus.
I have a male and female degu, they have six babies that are now 4 weeks old. I am looking to wean the babies in a week or two, and will only be keeping two of them.
Our first two degus were pet store degus and so are very unfriendly. Do you think toys would make them more friendly? Or just give them something to take their mind off of boredem? They are in a wire cage, that sets over an aquarium.
The babies are also in need of some toy ideas. I can't spend a lot of money on them, but I want them to have something to do.
I have previously had a hamster, so I have a wire wheel, but I have heard that the degus tail could get stuck in the wire. I really need some ideas!
Thanks in advance.
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sarah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 182
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Post by sarah on May 16, 2007 18:22:36 GMT
Hi Chai Our male and female degus were pet store degus too and we've been gradually working on hand-taming them. Whle they don't like to be held, they will jump out of the cage onto our laps for treats. We've been working with our 3 babies as well, and they too are becoming more tame every day. I think human companionship is very important to them and we try to spend some quality time with them every day. A wheel would really be the best thing, and here's a good source www.qualitycage.com/exwheels.html We have both of these in our big cage and they are equally good -- the Chin Spin would probably fit in your cage. These are a little pricey, but if you can save up for one it would really be worth it. I think you're smart to not put a wire wheel in there. Our degus also enjoy new things in their cage -- my husband makes boxes and other shapes out of cardboard and they love it when something new appears. One of their favorite things is a Quaker Oatmeal tube -- I pull the paper off and they love ripping it up. They also love toilet tissue -- we tear it into pieces about 8 inches long and stick it through the bars of the cage -- they love grabbing it and making nests around the cage. Sometimes they each grab an end and have a tug of war -- so cute! Apple twigs are good too -- we drill through the end of a stick and mount it to the side of the cage -- hours of enjoyment! Good luck! Sarah
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laurieb
Burrowing Degu
Love My Goos!
Posts: 175
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Post by laurieb on May 17, 2007 0:12:59 GMT
I read a good one, but haven't tried it yet, because of the overcrowding with 2 litters of pups. I'm saving it for when the pups are gone, and they are bored! It's hard to get bored with 16 degus in 3 different sizes, are running in every direction and fighting over food! Anyway, cut a cardboard type egg crate in 1/2, and put a treat in each cup, then cram full of bedding and close the lid. I guess they shred it all apart to get to the treats, it sounds fun to watch. Like Sarah, I keep apple tree pieces in the cage, but not twigs. Mine are large chunks that fit sideways from bottom corner to top of the opposite corner of the aquarium. Fairly thick, to chew and climb. The babies LOVE this. Every day they go higher, and now they are eating apple tree bark like crazy! Like Sarah's likes toilet paper, ours love newspaper. I just rip it in shreds and they drag it everywhere! I remember when one of the youngest pups was 3 days old and trying with all his might to get a strip of paper to his nest. He went from side to side struggling for a long time. He finally did it! Never gave up. Our 1st litter leaves us in about a week, and I'm upset and looking forward to it at the same time. They are running out of room in there! Our adults climb right up your arm when the cage is open. Maybe they just want out for a break! Every day, the pups get held and petted for a while. Treats work wonders!
Good luck to you, Laurie
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drew
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by drew on May 17, 2007 14:03:50 GMT
Where can I find apple twigs?
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laurieb
Burrowing Degu
Love My Goos!
Posts: 175
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Post by laurieb on May 17, 2007 15:16:57 GMT
We happen to have an apple orchard over our hill. I don't know where to buy it, but there are other woods they can also have. There is a list of toxic woods to avoid on the Degutopia site. Laurie
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sarah
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 182
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Post by sarah on May 17, 2007 16:35:13 GMT
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Chai
Newborn Degu
Posts: 10
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Post by Chai on May 17, 2007 20:51:17 GMT
Wow! Thanks so much guys!
But.... one more question, this is sorta off the subject, but I went on a few sites and they said NEVER to give a degus treats, because of the sugar. What sort of treats do you give your degus? Because, that would almost definitely help me tame my pet-store degus.
Thanks for the apple twig idea! They will definitely enjoy that!
Thanks again.
Chai
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laurieb
Burrowing Degu
Love My Goos!
Posts: 175
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Post by laurieb on May 18, 2007 0:34:24 GMT
Hi, there! Treats do help a lot! ;D Fresh grass, dandelion leaves, clover, tiny shredded wheat squares (not frosted). Old fashion oats, right from the box, little pieces of washed and peeled yam (some degus like their yam pieces dried, mine like them fresh). Degu Rock has a good list of treats in it's Degu Diet forum section. Just be careful not to give too many treats. Most of their nutrition must come from their pellets. Put a small treat on your hand and be patient. They will come to get that treat! They LOVE their snacks! Mine look at me every time I stop to talk to them, which is A LOT!, to see if I have something for them! It wasn't bad when we had our original 3, but now that 14 babies are growing and wanting treats, it's a bit overwhelming! Next weekend, 8 pups go to new homes, so it won't be so bad. , sad but necessary. A lot of people still use the wire wheels. They scare me a bit. Some that seem a little better are ones that are a wire grid, with small holes. Still a risk of catching tails, but a lesser chance. I tried a couple plastic ones, they don't last long. Then I found the Wodent Wheel. It is also made or plastic, but very durable. It's lasted for quite some time, now. They really should have a wheel. Good luck to you, Laurie
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gooey
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 174
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Post by gooey on May 18, 2007 5:52:59 GMT
we did the egg carton thing and oh was that funny! Tino chewed a small enough hole to get the first treat and Tiki came along and couldn't reach a treat without digging a bigger hole so there he was with his head stuck in the little hole with his hind legs braced against the carton making the funniest noises cause he couldn't reach the treat--hilarious ;D we have the wheel from qualitycage and our guys love it!! we also give them chubes to chew and paper towels and napkins to put in their nest. you can purchase apple twigs from pet stores like Petco and Petsmart. once a week they each get 3 or 4 sunflower seeds--and oh do they fall over each other to get to those! they get degu food everyday, fresh hay and they love romaine lettuce and fresh green beans. i am having a terrible time finding unpolluted dandelions tho, everybody treats their lawns with chemicals :(no safe ones for my goo boys i do play this one game with them that is kinda funny and a little bit fresh--when i give them fresh paper towels for their nest i put the strips on the open door and wait--they will come and take the towels and drag them to their bed, while they are running back up to grab the next towel strip, i remove the one they have put in their bed and add it back to the original pile. after a few times of them running the same towel strips up and down, they do kinda give me a look like, uh hey lady, what are you doing? and one last thing you might want to consider--i have a wood block with a nut nestled inside, they have to chew the block to get to the nut. and just to make it interesting, i strung the block up at the top of their cage so they really have to work to get at it. must keep them thinking, they are smart and do enjoy a challenge
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Chai
Newborn Degu
Posts: 10
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Post by Chai on May 19, 2007 14:40:25 GMT
Wow guys, thanks!
One more question...(sorry)
I have an old wire wheel that i used to use for my hamster. I thought that maybe I could take duct-tape or something, and wrap it around the wheel, inside and out, for a temporary wheel. What do you think? The only thing was that I am a little nervous about them chewing it. my six babies are being weaned now and they definitely need something todo. Just a thought!
Thenks for EVERYTHING so far guys! I can't wait to try that stuff!
Chai
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drew
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by drew on May 24, 2007 16:55:12 GMT
Does any wodent wheel owners use the Sandy trimmer insert?
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