yorkiepup
Foraging Degu
I am new to gooo
Posts: 89
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Post by yorkiepup on Mar 30, 2012 10:57:02 GMT
hi there my names laura I am a home carer and new to degus, I have had rats for years and recently met a degu whilst in pets at home, I fell in love and after losing many pets recently due to extream old age I decided it was time to try degu's unfortunately trying to get a rescue one is difficult and I refuse to buy one as I dont want some shoddy pet store getting my money when there is no doubt somewhere one that needs a home. my main issue is lack of transport I live in cardiff with my disabled grandparents and cant be out for long or not at all dependant on them, so trying to find a rescue degu that can be dropped off to me is nearly impossible, I can offer a good home, big cage toys and hours a day of time and a fantastic vet is a short walk away. I just dont seem to be having any luck so if you guys know someone who can drop off a degu they dont want or have spare babies let me know please also any tips for a newbie would be awesome!
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mhb
Burrowing Degu
Mystified and Entertained on a daily basis
Posts: 173
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Post by mhb on Mar 30, 2012 11:01:57 GMT
Hello and welcome!
Try the adoption zone and you might have some success.
And Good luck!
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Post by amie on Mar 30, 2012 11:28:50 GMT
"a degu" - just thought I let you know that degus really need each others company, so two or more degus is ideal Welcome to the forum! Looking forward to getting to know you and your future degus! Amie x
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yorkiepup
Foraging Degu
I am new to gooo
Posts: 89
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Post by yorkiepup on Mar 30, 2012 15:48:00 GMT
Degu's then I shall make sure to get two also love the idea of chinchillas to, so gonna hit the adoption section, thanks for the input guys and going to have a nose.
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luna1
Burrowing Degu
Nozzle, my miracle!
Posts: 143
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Post by luna1 on Mar 30, 2012 17:55:55 GMT
Hi and welcome, I have Degus and Chins, although they are similar in that they are both Caviomorphs they both have very different needs and I wouldn't recommend getting both at the same time. Degus are very demanding and it takes several months to get used to their needs. Like you are looking to do, I have rescued several Degus over the years and it really is a satisfying thing to do. Seeing how they come out of their shell is so rewarding but they really need to be in a group, minimum of 2 as they thrive on each others company. Vet fees are not inconsiderable, especially with rescue Degus, I have spent well over £1000 in the last 4 months on 4 of mine and I have 11 Degus! Chins are a different thing all together as they cannot always be kept with each other in the same cage unless together from when young and same sex and even then they can still fight until death for seemingly no reason, at any stage. Females are far more complicated and aggressive and Males are very competitive. Please don't think that I am being negative, it is just that for your own sake you need to start with one species and then, if confident and happy with them and you know that you have the time to dedicate to others, that's great. Please also remember that Chins need around 2 hours attention each night, they are prone to certain health problems as Degus are. Chins are late night creatures and will happily carry on until well after midnight into the early hours, the noise that they make can be extremely loud depending on the Chin. We are used to it now having our 3 boys but they are all next door to each other in separate cages that were built by my long suffering husband. These are huge, but not cheap! I will look forward to hearing about your Degus and all the funny little stories that they inevitably create as they are the most intelligent, entertaining babies, who needs a television when Degus don't charge for entertainment?!
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yorkiepup
Foraging Degu
I am new to gooo
Posts: 89
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Post by yorkiepup on Mar 30, 2012 19:01:45 GMT
Oh I only wante done or the other not both lol I am used to noise rats are nocturnal and I had 16 once in a massive liberta explorer in my bedroom, I am more of a night owl and hate mornings tend to be p till one am anyway so the night play is not a issue. The moneys not a issue either, I dont drink, smoke or go out, never go on holiday so what money I get in goes on the pets. I also make alot of my own toys crafting, sewing and carving with apple wood. I am grateful for your message its nice to have information and I dont watch tv pets never repeat tv does also tvis negative and depressing pets arent.
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Post by amie on Mar 30, 2012 19:45:17 GMT
Haha... I have 29 rats, I can safely say, with full confidence that my 6 degus are MUCH NOISIER! lol. Degu care is VERY different to the care of rats. I personally think that you get much more from rats. They give you a lot more attention and are happy to be picked up, cuddled and played with. I find my degus a lot more reserved. Degus are GREAT to watch though! They really are crazy, destructive, little monsters I love all of my rats and my degus and I wouldn't be without either, but you probably kinda guessed that I do have a MAJOR soft spot for rats. I find the care of rats to be much easier. Ok, rats need cleaning out a lot more often than degus because they stink! (thankfully, degus don't smell!), but the diet of a degu is rather complex compared to a rats. Also their housing has to be NON-plastic and MUCH bigger. x
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tzr
Burrowing Degu
Posts: 155
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Post by tzr on Mar 30, 2012 22:33:01 GMT
Have a look at the Degutopia website for all the information you need about degus
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yorkiepup
Foraging Degu
I am new to gooo
Posts: 89
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Post by yorkiepup on Mar 31, 2012 10:09:46 GMT
oh my god oh my good I could be getting goooosss!!!
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 31, 2012 10:11:00 GMT
Fingers crossed for you
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yorkiepup
Foraging Degu
I am new to gooo
Posts: 89
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Post by yorkiepup on Mar 31, 2012 17:04:42 GMT
21st of april a degu called bruce and 2 of her babies are moving in sweeettttttt sooo excited done this so far youtu.be/7q-tUCCYQdI
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Post by listracian on Mar 31, 2012 17:52:33 GMT
You have set up the cage amazingly You may find though after having them for a little while that the cage you have is probably too small. Degus tend to need a lot of space as they get bored very quickly. The way you have set up the cage is perfect for a start but you might want to think about looking around at other cages on the forum to get an idea of the space they may need in the future
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yorkiepup
Foraging Degu
I am new to gooo
Posts: 89
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Post by yorkiepup on Mar 31, 2012 18:49:41 GMT
You have set up the cage amazingly You may find though after having them for a little while that the cage you have is probably too small. Degus tend to need a lot of space as they get bored very quickly. The way you have set up the cage is perfect for a start but you might want to think about looking around at other cages on the forum to get an idea of the space they may need in the future To small oh no!!! uhm okay will nose online and on here and might even make a c&c cage seen those, I can do some diy so might even make one all depends ......hold on......TINGGGGGG!!!! Idea use current cage, take off little door at front and connect a another cage to it or a pen of some sort!!!!! *goes off to ferret in cupboards and shed.* I even have two of those cages, the other has one very old rat in so could always connect those two together once he parts us.
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Post by listracian on Mar 31, 2012 19:15:58 GMT
The cage you have is fine for when you get them if you are planning on getting a larger one for them, that way you won't have to rush to put one together if you go to the housing section of the forum there is a "show us your cage" thread and if you look through that it might give you some ideas
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Post by moletteuk on Mar 31, 2012 19:55:02 GMT
You're on the right track, and if you are comfortable doing mods and joining cages etc you are in a good position and I'm sure you can come up with something really, really good. We recommend 15000 square centimetres of floor area for 3 degus. An example of this is 3 levels at 100cm x 50cm. There's more info about this in the cage section of the forum or just ask away I'm not sure how big the cage you show is, but it looks like you could put another full size shelf in it, or depending on the door and floor, you could tip it on it's side and still fit another full size level in. As you've already spotted, you can add extra units on, the world is your oyster really The hammocks and other toys are fab, but you might want to look for cardboard or wood or terracotta things instead of the plastic - degus chew EVERYTHING and some plastics can contain harmful substances. You've got the right idea, and actually you are WAY ahead of the game by getting prepared well in advance *thumbs up*
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yorkiepup
Foraging Degu
I am new to gooo
Posts: 89
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Post by yorkiepup on Apr 1, 2012 14:14:33 GMT
Well i went round the diy stores today, there were some awesome mesh panels and a soldering kit, also saw some metal ties and such so got a few options really need to plot, I also am lusting after a liberta explorer its this monster of a cage but costs a hefty amount. I want to be prepared and so I apologize but....I go one degu.... Before everyone crusfies me on the great degu climbing tree let me explain, whilst in pets at home lusting at huge cages and buying soem frankly kick ass toys I met Charlie, a five month old degu whose tail had been bitten off in a fight with his cage mate and despite it all he fought with anyone he was caged with. Now I walked away bought some food and hay, as well as food for my dogs and turtles then wandered back, the woman cleaning out his food bowl had the door open a second and he ran out lept on me and then clung if that wasnt a sign well.... Anyway he now has one of the cages all to himself, the girls cage is still getting work done I intend to go up and there were apple trees in aldi for 7 going to put one actually in the cage. this is charlie youtu.be/V8iuzdvPPesthis is his cage now for charlie so yeah I was stupid I know please dont kill me give me advice and I swear I will follow it, I have ordered a metal wheel it will be here tomorrow. been looking on here www.degus-international.org/how-to-transform-your-metal-cage-into-a-suitable-degu-home.html going to use some of these ideas to make the cage bigger
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 1, 2012 17:24:02 GMT
Oh Laura, pleeeeease don't think we are going to crucify you for anything. I'm sorry if I came on a bit strong with the cage advice, you just seemed so enthusiastic and keen I possibly responded a bit enthusiastically in return with the level of advice. Honestly, you seem so enthusiastic to care for your degus, it's heartwarming, you are going to make a brilliant degu person I don't think it was stupid at all to bring Charlie home with you, you've already done some research and you had a cage already set up and waiting at home. You did a wonderful thing offering a degu a second chance. Don't despair of finding him a friend either, there's every chance they were rushing the introductions. There's no need to panic about cage alterations, there's a lot to be said for taking time to think it through and make plans. Everyone will be very happy simply that you are already showing such an interest, and will be very happy to answer any questions, or offer their thoughts.... Wooden cages are popular on the forum, but I've been thinking it must be possible to make or extend cages from mesh. I know you can buy the right sort of mesh from UK DIY shops, I think you are looking for about 2cm square mesh. I guess low levels could be self supporting, you could sort of sew the sides together with soft wire, or for something bigger I guess you could use a wood frame or steel angle frame. Just some ideas The Liberta Explorer is a great cage for degus. I think it has about four different names, with only slight differences in the models, some have half width doors and some full, some metal shelves, some plastic I think, you might see it referred to as the X-Trail on here. Someone got the Aventura model last week from Equinecaninefeline.com for £145 (including a 10% discount code they found). There's very little right and wrong on the forum, lots of aspects of degu husbandry are advancing fast, so there's lots of exchanging new ideas and sharing of experiences, everyone has something to offer, a new observation to make
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yorkiepup
Foraging Degu
I am new to gooo
Posts: 89
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Post by yorkiepup on Apr 1, 2012 17:44:52 GMT
I have found a solution!!!!! The shelves I took out of the cage I can wire up to the top to make a tall cage also using a rabbit run a small one attached to the side with a cut through for the degus to get back an forth and a large metal serving tray at the bottom, there are sooo many ideas bouncing round my head its scary!!! I am going to try and find a friend for Charlie but AFTER I have sorted out the cage for the girls because they need to be my priority right now cause they are coming in april and I want to have everything sorted when they arrive. I have had a offer to of someones old single level version of my cage which I can just add on top to what I have now so might see how steady that is. Charlie is currently eating some grass I grow in a litter tray for my turtles and piggies for when the weathers to rotten to get it outside, he seems happy as larry munching away XD I also found some C&C cubes in the cupboard from my old guinea pig house, preassure washer them down and boom super adjustable degu cage! anyway got some pics from the nice person giving me degus, this is the mother bruce they were having toruble finding her a home so I said I would take her with the two babies. Then two of these are mine!!!! So happy!!! *dances Charlie looks unimpressed* my god could they be cuter!!??!??! Anyway I might even get a new cage for charlie and just put the two cages I have together witht he bottom doors off that would be the easiest solution, either way I am having a nose around ebay and the free ads to see if omething goootastic comes up.
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yorkiepup
Foraging Degu
I am new to gooo
Posts: 89
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Post by yorkiepup on Apr 1, 2012 17:50:37 GMT
I AM SUCH A FREAKING DUMB ASS!!!!!!My gran just reminded me I got my old rats cage in the attic!!!! here look will this be okay??!?! this was my girls bit and this was my boys bit god I dont believe I was so stupid!!!! right got to get it down steam clean it, disinfect it, preassure wash it then put it back together god I hope all the nuts and bolts are there. man that was a mega sized derp and no mistake....wonder what else I got in the attic you can probbaly recognise some of the toys I have recycled for degus already.
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 2, 2012 1:36:42 GMT
What a pleasure to read through this thread, to see your excitement and get to take part in it, Yorkiepup!! A big welcome to you, and I do hope you will find your place here on the forum. You've already met a number of us, and have had great advice for your degu on hand and the degus to come. That explorer is a brillant cage and will work so very well for your girls when they come. I do believe that I have read about Bruce and her pups needing a home, so I am very glad that they have found their future with you!! Your explorer has wire shelving, does it? These can be covered with ceramic tiles to protect their feet and also make for ease of cleaning surfaces. You can also build wooden trays with raised edges round them to sit on top of the wire shelves, which you can then fill with bedding to increase comfort and reduce odors even more.
Again, it is a pleasure to witness your enthusiasm for your degus. I look forward to getting to know you more in the days ahead!!
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