|
Post by NightwishRaven999 on Jun 1, 2011 5:12:21 GMT
It has been a little over a year since the first degu cage building projects have started on the Degu-Chinchilla World Forum. The enthusiastic response this forum gave to this new project was nothing short of amazing. You have exceeded all expectations I had as to the success of this little campaign.
The concept of degus living in a DIY wooden cage is still new to degu owners in most parts of the world. But thanks to this forum and its members, more and more people are taking an active interest in building their own degu cages.
At first, only a handful of members were brave enough to try it out. But after seeing the photos of those few brave members who decided to build their own cages, more and more users began to plan new homes for their pets.
We now have well over 50 members who have built their own degu cages ! The numbers are still growing, with new forum users planning their own cage building projects.
As a forum, we have a lot to be proud of. With the amount of people we have, building their own cages, we are having a very positive influence on the web.
I strongly believe that the next few years will be an important stepping stone for degu users in the UK, the USA and Canada.
The myth that degus should only be housed in metal cages, will slowly dissapear in the face of the success that people are having with homemade cages.
I am very proud to be a part of this forum. We are making a difference out there. Deguworld is one of the biggest and most active english degu forums on the internet.
As a forum, we are helping to raise the standards of degu keeping. You are all to be congradulated !
The wooden degu cages we have on here are fabulous and are quite honestly on par with those of german degu websites.
Those who house their degus in the traditional metal/wire cages are also to be congradulated. I have been on many rodent forums and in all honesty, this forum is by far the one with the best standards for degu housing. The metal cages on here are mostly large and always well adorned and decorated.
We should be very proud of ourselves and of what we have accomplished here.
Congradulations to Deguworld and to its fine and active community !
|
|
|
Post by fred on Jun 1, 2011 8:31:39 GMT
I couldn't agree more with everything you have written in this post! I have two practical suggestions how perhaps more people could be encouraged to build their own cages. It would be very helpful if we could have a single page where DIY cages are presented. I believe too many good ideas may be overlooked if one has to browse through many posts. And if one looks for something specific, the proboards search function is not very helpful. We could ask members to provide key pics of the cages and a brief description including materials used, dimensions of the cage and costs. This could provide those who are not good at DIY (or think they are not) with encouragement and ideas, in particular to start with a “DIY lite” cage. I found this page in German very useful www.degus-online.de/kaefig_gaeste.htm and it would seem good to have something similar for English speaking degu people. If we could have such a page somewhere, it could link to the threads where the individual cages have been presented and discussed. It would also be helpful if we could produce a page with practical tips on materials, such as glass, plexi, MDF, plywood. For example, as can be seen in the kiln dried pine thread, amie and I are totally bewildered by the different types of plywood available. Things like that can be a serious deterrent to those of us less experienced in DIY matters. I think this would be a great community project and I would be happy to help in any way I can.
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Jun 1, 2011 16:00:21 GMT
You know, that sounds like a great idea! Nwr999 . . . what do you think? Send me a PM and we can forumlate a plan.
|
|
|
Post by NightwishRaven999 on Jun 1, 2011 20:54:55 GMT
@ Fred Thank you for your input and suggestions. Deguconvert and I will put our heads together in hopes of coming up with some kind of plan. As you mentioned, such an informational page would have to be hosted on its own domain. An article like this would be quickly overrun with posts on a forum. Perhaps we can host this page on the octodondegus.weebly.com/ website. Deguconvert and I would have to talk about linking the website to the deguworld forum even closer. This way members who go on the website can quickly switch over to the forum and vice versa. This is how many german degu websites work. I have a bit less time available than I would like and had to postpone some of the projects I had. I am also seriously considering making the OctodonDegus website bi-lingual. This past year, I recieved MANY requests for a French version of the "How to Build a Degu Cage" article. Translating the article into French would take a lot of time. Thanks again for the feedback and please let us know if you have further ideas. We will need time to come up with a plan and formulate the articles however. Whatever decision is taken, we will keep you updated.
|
|
|
Post by kovu07 on Jun 1, 2011 20:58:37 GMT
I can't wait to see what happens
|
|
sam99
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 126
|
Post by sam99 on Jun 1, 2011 21:03:45 GMT
Another thought would be to have a thread where people could post just the pictures of their 'homemade' cages without any comments following on. This way it would possibly give thought and inspiration without the photos being totally lost within conversations. No idea if you can set up a photo only thread, but maybe an idea.
|
|
|
Post by kovu07 on Jun 1, 2011 21:11:55 GMT
That's a great idea Sam. Perhaps if a picture only thread is not possible could an alternative be to make a normal thread but put a warning on the first post that any messages which do not contain a picture will be deleted, as then the conversation won't get in the way?
|
|
|
Post by NightwishRaven999 on Jun 1, 2011 21:48:33 GMT
Another thought would be to have a thread where people could post just the pictures of their 'homemade' cages without any comments following on. This way it would possibly give thought and inspiration without the photos being totally lost within conversations. No idea if you can set up a photo only thread, but maybe an idea. That is a good idea. However, we have tried this in the past...it simply does not work on a forum. Now that Deguconvert is a Global Moderator, she might have more options or control over forum topics. I am not sure though. Hosting the article on its own website domain would definitely get more views than on the forum...and the goal of this project is to reach the most people possible. One thing we can do is to find a way of linking forum-to website and website-to forum. This way people here could have easy access to the website, while people visiting the website have easy access to this forum...therefore drawing more people onto these boards. More ideas are welcome. Hopefully our thoughts will create a sort of melting pot and we can all enjoy the outcome.
|
|
sam99
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 126
|
Post by sam99 on Jun 1, 2011 22:15:31 GMT
Can understand the issues as people are bound to comment and therefore the photos get lost in 'waffle'. Could the thread have a title saying something along the lines of 'Homemade Cages.. Pictures only.. Please do not comment'. The first posting could maybe read 'This is for pictures only... if you wish to ask questions or comment then see '........' ( directions to another thread for questions?) Just a thought.
|
|
|
Post by listracian on Jun 2, 2011 8:34:16 GMT
Can you make sub-forums? Like child-safe boards? Then you can have a mini sub-forum just for homemade cages?
|
|
|
Post by kovu07 on Jun 2, 2011 8:42:51 GMT
That's a good idea Listracian.
|
|
|
Post by w8152 on Jun 2, 2011 11:27:22 GMT
get to work DC
|
|
cazara
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 191
|
Post by cazara on Jun 2, 2011 14:05:15 GMT
It just goes to show how much work goes on behind the scenes. We are all here to learn and help get information or advice. The people doing all the work and spending their time to help others in the word care for their animal honestly makes me feel so humble and in awe of all that you guys do for us. Big huge thank you from me I have a metal cage but before I found this site or new anything about Degu's I covered the mesh as I would hate to stand on metal bars all day long. I then learn about Bumble foot and panicked as though mine had it (they don't) I with help from a friend are going to build a bigger home made cage due to everything I have seen Homemade cages are so much better you can build it to fit where you want them Dr it if you need more space for them or for new goo's divide the cage. I can't wait till I get cash to do it for them. I will be looking forward to any help or ideas I get from the work you guys are doing thanks just doesn't seem enough for all the info I have had so far for my Degu's Great People Great advice and Great teamwork xxxx
|
|
|
Post by kovu07 on Jun 2, 2011 14:08:38 GMT
I'm still surprised that there are no companies out there who build custom wooden cages for rodents and small animal, they'd make an absolute killing.
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Jun 2, 2011 16:52:00 GMT
The problem would be in the expense of delivery or transport. Wooden cages are heavy!
|
|
|
Post by kovu07 on Jun 2, 2011 16:54:23 GMT
Could be for collection only I guess, however even despite the transport costs i'm sure people would still be interested, it just seems odd as there is a huge gap in the market for it.
|
|
|
Post by malteser60 on Jun 2, 2011 16:58:23 GMT
I am in awe of everybody that has built their own cage. I keep on saying when I move house I will build them a proper big cage, but for now they are in a big metal cage, more tall than wide, but it fits in the living room nicely. The degutopia calculater says it's big enough for 3 degus, but I've got two. What I have done however is remodel the inside, designing my own shelves, backing, etc. Now it's toy designing as mine chew through the bought toys far too fast for my pocket!
I think linking the forum to NWR999 website is a great idea, especially if he can have a page there with just photos. Also have sub-boards is a great idea as well, that way it will be easier to find the info needed.
And finally, to deguconvert and NightwishRaven999, well done on being such fantastic moderators :-D
|
|
|
Post by listracian on Jun 2, 2011 17:08:11 GMT
I'm still surprised that there are no companies out there who build custom wooden cages for rodents and small animal, they'd make an absolute killing. My boyfriend and I were actually considering this if our cage goes well, we worked out we would make quite a profit on it!
|
|
|
Post by kovu07 on Jun 2, 2011 17:12:51 GMT
Yay it's not just me who thinks so I think it would be a great idea listracian expecially in todays economic climate, also I doubt you'd be short of people looking for custom built cages.
|
|