Post by jgoulaypond on Apr 13, 2012 14:58:09 GMT
Hi everyone,
Here's my degu story.
I had been a lifelong rat owner, but after my last two girls passed away a few years ago, I started researching other small pets with a longer lifespan. I love ratties dearly, but their short lifespan was just too much for me to take anymore.
So after a lot of research, I decided on degus. I couldn't find any in town (small Northern Ontario city), but I got in contact with a pet store in town about 3 hours away from me, and they said they were expecting to have degus in soon.
So I made the drive to pick up two little boy degus. And boy, what a surprise I had when I brought them home.
For a month they settled in nicely, I named them "Machu" and "Picchu". Then I noticed Picchu started getting rather chubby. And kept getting chubbier.
Then one morning before school, I went to go check up on the boys... and I saw something strange in their little nest. Blood... and little squirming pink babies! 6 of them.
I was completely shocked. I read up on degu pregnancy, and realized my little "boy" Picchu must have been pregnant before I got her!
I separated Machu from the mommy and babies to avoid another pregnancy, but after a few days I decided to double check Machu's sex... and yep, she was definitely a girl too.
I was angry at the pet store for their lack of basic degu knowledge... I emailed them about the situation, but all they did was offer to take the babies off my hands. I declined. Sadly, two of the babies passed away shortly after birth and I tearfully buried them.
After I calmed down about the situation, it was wonderful watching the 4 babies grow up. Picchu was a great mom, and Machu helped out too. She cuddled with the babies when Picchu needed a break.
The babies got more and more playful and outgoing.
Then it finally became time to start thinking about homes for them.
There was one baby girl, and 3 boys. I decided I would keep the girl with Machu and Picchu, but I needed a home for the 3 boys.
It was really difficult even thinking about parting with them. I wanted them to have a wonderful life with knowledgeable, responsible owners.
After a few inquiries fell through, my boyfriend's sister offered to take them. I liked the idea since I'd be able to visit them anytime, and she had degus before. So off the boys went to their new home.
Unfortunately they ended up fighting quite a bit, and right before Christmas I decided to take one of the boys in (separate cage from the girls), to give him a break from the constant bullying. His tail was missing fur, he had bite marks on his body and he was very shy.
Now 5 months later, he's still with me and he's very healthy, outgoing and friendly. He enjoys taking dust bathes with the girls and loves running around.
So that's how I started with 2 boy degus, and ended up with 3 girls and a boy. It's been quite a journey, but I wouldn't change anything. They're amazing animals and I'm so happy I get to share my life with them.
Here's my degu story.
I had been a lifelong rat owner, but after my last two girls passed away a few years ago, I started researching other small pets with a longer lifespan. I love ratties dearly, but their short lifespan was just too much for me to take anymore.
So after a lot of research, I decided on degus. I couldn't find any in town (small Northern Ontario city), but I got in contact with a pet store in town about 3 hours away from me, and they said they were expecting to have degus in soon.
So I made the drive to pick up two little boy degus. And boy, what a surprise I had when I brought them home.
For a month they settled in nicely, I named them "Machu" and "Picchu". Then I noticed Picchu started getting rather chubby. And kept getting chubbier.
Then one morning before school, I went to go check up on the boys... and I saw something strange in their little nest. Blood... and little squirming pink babies! 6 of them.
I was completely shocked. I read up on degu pregnancy, and realized my little "boy" Picchu must have been pregnant before I got her!
I separated Machu from the mommy and babies to avoid another pregnancy, but after a few days I decided to double check Machu's sex... and yep, she was definitely a girl too.
I was angry at the pet store for their lack of basic degu knowledge... I emailed them about the situation, but all they did was offer to take the babies off my hands. I declined. Sadly, two of the babies passed away shortly after birth and I tearfully buried them.
After I calmed down about the situation, it was wonderful watching the 4 babies grow up. Picchu was a great mom, and Machu helped out too. She cuddled with the babies when Picchu needed a break.
The babies got more and more playful and outgoing.
Then it finally became time to start thinking about homes for them.
There was one baby girl, and 3 boys. I decided I would keep the girl with Machu and Picchu, but I needed a home for the 3 boys.
It was really difficult even thinking about parting with them. I wanted them to have a wonderful life with knowledgeable, responsible owners.
After a few inquiries fell through, my boyfriend's sister offered to take them. I liked the idea since I'd be able to visit them anytime, and she had degus before. So off the boys went to their new home.
Unfortunately they ended up fighting quite a bit, and right before Christmas I decided to take one of the boys in (separate cage from the girls), to give him a break from the constant bullying. His tail was missing fur, he had bite marks on his body and he was very shy.
Now 5 months later, he's still with me and he's very healthy, outgoing and friendly. He enjoys taking dust bathes with the girls and loves running around.
So that's how I started with 2 boy degus, and ended up with 3 girls and a boy. It's been quite a journey, but I wouldn't change anything. They're amazing animals and I'm so happy I get to share my life with them.
