|
Post by dyzired on May 29, 2011 21:32:48 GMT
Well i posted this question before.. But no one ever helped me out i want to build my own cage.. And id like some ideas from you guys. This will be the first thing i ever really built. My bfs gonna help me though. But id like to try to explain to you guys my ideas for the cage and tell me what u think??? Okay.. Im not sure the exact dimensions yet..but the very bottom will be a cabinet area for storage. Then above that will be the bottom of the cage.. Ill have the sides go up maybe about a foot to a foot and a half.. Ill put a glass/plexi glass window inthe front bottom so i can see in.. And thats where ill put some beddig and hay and such for my degu to burrow (plus the high walls will help keep all the bedding at the bottom)... Then there will be shelves going up obviously.. And the dooors will be glass/plexiglass sliding doors in the front.. Possibly wire mesh windows on the right and left of the doors.. Then the top will be all wire mesh.. I also might wanna add wire mesh/glass windows here and there on the sides. Alsooo.. I might build something above the top of the cage to hang lights from. What do you guys think? Does any of this make sense? Id appreciate your help soo much. Please let me know if im missing anything! Also.. I saw i can use plywood.. Pine.. Kiln drie pine wood. From everyones experience whats the best type? Is there one thats better/easier to clean? Also can i paint the outside of the cage before i put him inthere? Just so it looks a little better in my room? The paint wont be anywhere that he can chew. Please and thank u!!
|
|
|
Post by fred on May 29, 2011 23:17:38 GMT
This sounds as if it's going to be a degu palace You certainly have thought it through. IMO the glass doors at the front are great. You only need enough wire mesh to ensure good circulation. Paint on the outside is not a problem, just leave for a few days before you put your degus in. As long as you use kiln dried pine where they can chew, there are a variety of woods you can use for sides and shelves. I personally like furniture boards which can be washed off, otherwise you can cover shelves with adhesive tiles. I assume your earlier post referred to this thread deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Cage&action=display&thread=5734, which gives you some very good ideas. It may also be worthwhile to look at the cages on this website www.degus-online.de/kaefig_gaeste.htm. Note that the comments on this site suggest that some of the shown cages should have full levels rather than she small shelves and ledges (see also the cage calculator thread). The more running space you can give your degus the better. I hope this helps a bit to further develop your plans. Perhaps you can draw and post a sketch so we can make further suggestions. Good luck with your building project!
|
|
|
Post by dyzired on May 29, 2011 23:35:46 GMT
Thank u so much for the great feedback..im at work so i couldnt post a pic but ill post my sketches tonight.. Yah i like the glass front because its so much easier to see my little one doing his crazy antics. Those links arent workin on my phone.. Ill have to try them again when i get home. I think ill use plywood for my walls and kiln dried pine for the shelving. Ill have to look a little harder in lowes because i couldnt find any today. But thank u again! Ill keep you all updated!
|
|
|
Post by dyzired on May 30, 2011 4:39:45 GMT
Sorry for the poor quality and my terrible drawing skills..but this is kinda the idea of what I want. The thing at the top of the page is something I'd like to maybe add on in the future..just a shelf type thing built off the top of the cage that has a wire mesh flooring that I can set a light on..so that the cage is recieving light but it's not resting directly on top of the cage where the degu can burnt. The wire mesh next to the doors and the windows on the side I'd LIKE..but I probably won't do...the rest is pretty much exactly how I want it though. Are my dimensions okay? I don't know if you can see them..but it's 36" long, 18-24" wide, and 5' high. It's only one degu right now and he's still small...and I'd like there to be enough room for a second degu if I decide he needs a buddy. Let me know what you think and what I can do to improve it! Attachments:
|
|
sam99
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 126
|
Post by sam99 on May 30, 2011 8:20:49 GMT
The design looks fantastic and you will have some very happy goos. Just an idea, instead of building from scratch, why not see if you can pick up some furniture which can then be converted. All dependant on what you can get hold of and what price you are willing to pay,but that way you can then put your ideas into something that already has a solid frame. Just for ideas have a look at the 2 units I have converted on the thread 'wardrobe??' 19th May. Good luck with the build.
|
|
|
Post by fred on May 30, 2011 9:09:16 GMT
I think that's a great design and at the moment I have only two suggestions. If you can add another 5 to 10” in length, I would go for that (if the glass doors are the limiting factor, you can make the wire mesh panel(s) a bit wider). I would also suggest that you think now where exactly you plan to put in the levels and make sure that the heights of the middle and top sections fit. You probably will fill the middle section only up to a third with bedding. On the other hand, you should consider how many levels you can/want to fit in the upper section. The “regular levels” will be around 12 to 15” in height, but if you have three levels, one can be less (as in nightwhishraven's cage). Keep us updated how your project is progressing. At the moment you only have one degu and I am sure there is a good reason for this. But, as you will have seen in your research, degus should normally be kept at least as pairs of the same sex. There is anecdotal evidence of the very occasional happy single degu, bit it is just the exception of a strong rule. Therefore, for his/her welfare you should consider to get him/her a companion as soon as possible. If you are not sure whether it is a boy or girl you can take a picture and post it so we can help you. There are people here who have studied so many goo genitalia, they are true experts . There are also two very selfish reasons. Once your cage is done and you will sit in front of your goo theatre, you have no idea how much you'll miss if you don't have the interactions within a pair or group. You will also have read about the problems that can arise when you have to introduce older degus two each other; with two babies that will be so much easier.
|
|
|
Post by kovu07 on May 30, 2011 11:53:54 GMT
I think the cage plan looks amazing, my only concern is that you say 'if I decide he needs a buddy.' Unfortunately its not really you who should decide, as degus are group animals and without a buddy he could become depressed and overgroom himself. Plus with such an amazing cage it would be a great opportunity to rescue some other male degus who need a loving home.
|
|
|
Post by dyzired on May 30, 2011 13:24:00 GMT
Yeah.. My bf keeps tellin me he needs a friend... Im just afraid he wont be friendly toward me if he has another degu.. I know hes lonely though..and the reason hes alone is because i resced him from my work ( we thought we had them sexed.. But i checked them the other day.. And we have one cage with 2 females and a male.. And another cage with a male/female pair...yikes) but anyway.. I found a litter of babies when i went in for work and unfortunately, half were very dead and the other half in critical condition.. I took 5 home and over a span of 2-3 days, i lost 4... Moose (my degu) holding on and making it to a healthy 9 weeks of age now We do have a degu by himself here at my job.. And hes stuck in a tank due to no funding and no cage for him... Anyone in the florida area want to adopt him? Anyway! Back on topic... If i get a piece of furniture tho to start with, im afraid itd be toxic for him..idk. I still have a lot of planning to do. Sorry this post is all over the place.. Im working now but when i get home ill post a pic of him so you guys can sex him/her because im really not sure. Thanks again. Oh and does anyone know of a degu breeder or anyone in florida that adopts them out? Where i live no one knows what they are.. And i dont wanna take one of these guys here because i am unsure of their age
|
|
|
Post by dyzired on May 30, 2011 13:35:54 GMT
Another one of my concerns is adopting a second degu, and my current degu and him not getting along.. Then im stuck with 2 cages in my already small room. I usually wouldnt care buti already share my room with my degu, chameleon, 2 fire belly newts, yellow belly slider turtle, map turtle and a tank of african cichlids. Idk.. Im just afraid theyd hate each other or harm each other.
|
|
|
Post by kovu07 on May 30, 2011 13:38:56 GMT
Why don't you adopt the other degu if it is also a male? And Moose will still be friendly with you even if he has a friend, and he'll be happier for it as well Tell us what wood the is the piece of furniture would be made out of, then we'd know if it was toxic. or perhaps you could build the shell yourself? No idea about any degu breeders in Florida, since I live in England, sorry. But what dod you mean by not wanting to take one of these guys here? And finally it doesn't matter what age the other degu is, so long as they are the same sex.
|
|
|
Post by kovu07 on May 30, 2011 13:39:57 GMT
Another one of my concerns is adopting a second degu, and my current degu and him not getting along.. Then im stuck with 2 cages in my already small room. I usually wouldnt care buti already share my room with my degu, chameleon, 2 fire belly newts, yellow belly slider turtle, map turtle and a tank of african cichlids. Idk.. Im just afraid theyd hate each other or harm each other. You never know unless you try, and it really isn't fair to keep him on his own as they are social animals.
|
|
|
Post by dyzired on May 30, 2011 13:56:39 GMT
I just checked the guy alone and he looks male.. I took a pic for u guys ill post later.. And hes not social either seeing as hes been stuck in a tank..and hasnt been with other degus for months... Im afraid he'd hurt moose or will just be really aggressive toward me.. These degus havent been handled much
|
|
|
Post by dyzired on May 30, 2011 13:58:44 GMT
But now that i think about it.. If i take him home... And they dont get along.. Ican always bring him back to work.. Rather than getting another degu.. And them not gettkng along.. And me having to bring him here... I think ill adopt this guy.. I just have to be sure my degu is male! I cant tell cAuse hes still little
|
|
|
Post by kovu07 on May 30, 2011 14:02:46 GMT
You can tell, if you post a picture of his bits we'll know the sex, trust me Also please give the two degus time to get to know each other and sort out who is boss, before you decide it hasn't worked and take him back to work, but it sounds like a brilliant idea
|
|
|
Post by dyzired on May 30, 2011 14:24:00 GMT
How do i introduce them to each other? How long is the process normally?
|
|
|
Post by kovu07 on May 30, 2011 14:35:00 GMT
It can take a fair while but there are a few helpful tips to make the process go smoothly. Firstly you will need to prepare an area for introductions which is considered 'neutral territory' by all degus. Therefore this should be a place that is unfamiliar to all the degus and has not been previously scent marked. For this purpose, an empty bath tub is ideal, as it is has easy access and can contain the degus for a short time. Secondly listen for the sounds that the degus use during introductions and watch for their behaviours, as these give you useful indications of how they are getting along. Agonistic sounds such as the 'whine', 'groan' and 'grunt' along with aggressive teeth grinding are warning signs that the degus are not happy with each other. Watch out for agonistic behaviours such as lunging, pushing and biting during this time. Friendly sounds include the 'chitter' and 'warble' vocalisations, and may be accompanied by grooming behaviour, which is a very good sign your degus are getting along well. Note that initially you may see a lot of mounting behaviour- this is perfectly normal and is just the degu way of establishing who is 'boss'. It will become less frequent once your degus have all settled in together. Once they're living in the same cage, you might observe minor squabbles and fighting such as 'boxing' and chasing; don't be tempted to intervene or separate the degus during this time unless injury has occurred- your degus will need to 'test' one another's physical attributes in order to establish their own rank in the new group. If you step in, you could interfere with this process and actually cause it to go on longer than it should. Finally when your degus are in their cages for example during the day or at night, make sure they are close enough to smell and talk to each other, as it will help the introduction process if they can interact even when they are in seperate cages. Also one final tip for when you eventually have them in the same cage, is to have seperate food bowls as it will stop agression over food. I hope that helps
|
|
|
Post by NightwishRaven999 on May 30, 2011 15:23:57 GMT
@ dyzired Your cage plans look great ! I am glad to hear you are considering getting your degu a companion. Keeping degus together is the most important rule in degu keeping. Adopting that degu was a very kind action on your part, but keeping him alone because of what might happen seems a little unfair. Degus are made to live together. I hope you seriously consider getting the other degu from your work. Both degus would live more normal lives if kept together. I congradulate you for wanting to build a cage for your degu. It is a wonderful and fun project that will benefit you and your degu. Wooden cages allow the degus lots more room to run, burrow and play....and they are much easier to keep clean than metal or wire cages. Here is an article that I think you would like. It might help clear some doubts and help you make the right decision. octodondegus.weebly.com/the-importance-of-keeping-degus-together.htmlHope this helps Jordan
|
|
|
Post by dyzired on May 30, 2011 15:55:54 GMT
Thanks again guys.. This is a lot of help.. I have a couple more questions.. Would i benefit at all from maybe takin this guy home.. And lettig them get to know eac other before putting either of them in the new cage? Or would it be okay to put my guy in a new cage now and then add this new guy in afterwards?
And also my degu is still fairly small.. Do i need to wait for him to be the size of the other degu? Or can i introduce them now?
|
|
|
Post by kovu07 on May 30, 2011 16:00:17 GMT
I would put them in the new cage after they have bonded as it will be a lonely place for just one degu. You can introduce them now, and it's alot easier to introduce a pup (yours) to an adult (other degu) So the sooner the better.
|
|
|
Post by dyzired on May 30, 2011 17:05:25 GMT
Okay one last question about the cage.. The glass window i want onthe bottom part of the cage (see picture above) ..how do i go about attachig that so that theres no where the degu can chew on wood? Same for the wire mesh? If anyone has time at all or would liketo help.. I would appreciate some detail description of how exactly to build it.. I dont wanna build the whole thig then realize its no good because i made one little flaw
|
|