Hazelnut Wood.

[tomm]

I know the wood is safe for degus to knaw on but most sources say it must be dried. There is a large tree just outside my garden and i picked a thin stick from it (about 5mm diameter). My degus are going absolutely crazy for it.

Do you think it would be ok to leave it in the cage seeing as it isn't dried? The area is free of pesticides and other sources of toxin as the piece of land is protected.

Any thoughts?

[deguconvert]

I would just pop it into your oven and leave it in there on a low temperature for a while to dry it a bit and to kill anything that could be growing on it, or in it, like bugs.

[tomm]

Bit late for the one twig i put in there as it is now torn to pieces. I will gather a load tomorrow and oven it for a little while before inserting anymore

[deguconvert]