Iain
Warbling Degu
Posts: 43 
|
Post by Iain on Feb 1, 2016 18:22:04 GMT
Hi all.
Can anyone give a link for the best place to get these types of wood please?
|
|
|
|
Post by lookimawave on Feb 1, 2016 18:26:37 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Feb 1, 2016 18:26:57 GMT
Most of these are gathered by foraging, or through knowing someone that has a tree they have pruned or are cutting out. If you do forage, you need to be sure that you are doing so with permission.
|
|
Iain
Warbling Degu
Posts: 43
|
Post by Iain on Feb 1, 2016 19:06:26 GMT
Thanks for the reply folks.
I am based in Scotland and the link is much appreciated.
|
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Feb 2, 2016 17:06:59 GMT
If you live somewhere fairly rural you can usually find smaller pieces suitable for chewing in the hedgerows and round about.
|
|
|
|
Post by batman76 on Feb 25, 2016 9:43:42 GMT
This list is most helpful  i think if it's ok, i'd like to copy and paste this to notepad on my laptop so i have fast access to it |
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Feb 25, 2016 12:04:13 GMT
No problem |
|
|
|
Post by skardsen on Mar 3, 2016 2:02:25 GMT
Degutopia have willow listed as toxic to degus. I see here that it's on the safe list, and willow sticks that you can buy are marked as safe for degus. Are Degutopia incorrect on the matter?
|
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Mar 3, 2016 16:16:00 GMT
We have been following, in large part, the experiences of German degu owners, that have been very proactive in learning the needs of degus. They have been using willow sticks and bark for their degus for years without harm resulting. Degutopia is a great site, but there is some information there that we would consider old.
|
|
|
|
Post by buckandbolt on May 5, 2016 19:04:18 GMT
Sorry if this has already been answered, but is kilns-dried Fir safe?
|
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on May 5, 2016 21:01:49 GMT
I believe this is OK. Just make sure there are no large knots or resin, and don't let them get to any bark, cones etc.
|
|
|
|
Post by winic1 on May 6, 2016 5:04:48 GMT
I believe this is OK. Just make sure there are no large knots or resin, and don't let them get to any bark, cones etc. Has no one looked into pinecones for degus? They are a favorite of the local squirrels and chipmunks, raw, off the tree, off the ground. They positively devour them, so wouldn't that indicate they should be okay? Can someone ask the German degu owners about this? I even saw them listed as a great foot/chew toy for parrots, after being baked dry, on a bird site. |
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on May 6, 2016 7:01:52 GMT
I know what you mean. At the bottom of the table on p1, it does say not to give them, though.
|
|
|
|
Post by Maravilla on May 6, 2016 8:04:08 GMT
I know what you mean. At the bottom of the table on p1, it does say not to give them, though. This list is 4 years old. This is actually a lot of time to rethink and re-evaluate things. I am now feeding plants I did not even know 4 years ago or considered them unsafe or even toxic. I already offered pine cones (from Pinus sylvestris) filled with sunflower feeds. It was an interesting toy for some time. I also bought once closed pine cones (type Pinus pinea) which has to be warmed so that they open. The seeds of this tree can also be eaten by humans. A lot of owners offer them, my degus don't like them. Regarding pine cones also have a look here. It is in German but includes some photos which might help to understand what it is about (bouncy, you should not have any problems reading the text, I suppose). |
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on May 6, 2016 13:04:45 GMT
Ah ha! Thank you!
|
|
|
|
Post by winic1 on May 6, 2016 14:39:50 GMT
I have several big Norway Spruce trees, and many many cones. The local wildlife loves them.
Dare I risk it?
|
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on May 8, 2016 8:51:38 GMT
I have several big Norway Spruce trees, and many many cones. The local wildlife loves them. Dare I risk it? The German link suggests it's fine, so give it a go! Just check for resin, bird poo, etc. |
|
|
|
Post by clover on Aug 17, 2017 9:17:17 GMT
Is there an updated list please as it looks like things have changed quite a bit since the first post?
I have to admit to be very confused as many of the woods on here as safe are considered toxic on 'the spruce' which was the first link when I googled it. Willow, birch, pine cones and oak/cork are listed as toxic to degus.
|
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Aug 17, 2017 20:44:27 GMT
It depends on the the willow, some are fine and others are not. At the moment I can't remember the names of the ones that are good and those that are not. Birch is fine, WEEPING birch is not. Pine cones are not. Pine/Spruce/redwoods must be kiln dried to make them safe. Cedar is NOT safe. Oak is OK, but some degus may have a sensitivity to it, and most will not chew it much. Cork is OK, but again some degus could be sensitive. None of my degus ever went after cork, they enjoyed the tunnels but didn't chew it.
|
|
|
|
Post by misscatafer on Aug 17, 2017 21:29:49 GMT
Oh no!!! I've been giving mine pine cones!! I wash them and then bake them for around 30 minutes..... Are these really unsafe??
|
|
i think if it's ok, i'd like to copy and paste this to notepad on my laptop so i have fast access to it 
