|
|
Post by pixierabbit on Jun 8, 2012 22:07:11 GMT
Hi guys, I would like any advice you can give me on goo's. I run a small animal rescue, only have four males under my care at the moment, my partner loves them so there's always going to be a rescue goo cage in my house.
We feed on gerty guinea pig food, fresh hay and bedding is horse shavings (the big dust free kind).
For enrichment we make a lot of cardboard things and they have a plastic tunnel and a wooden wheel at the moment, but we're working on more toys, since they have had no interest in a new home.
I would like idea's on toys that can easily be cleaned and used for future degu's?
Housing is a bit of a confusion for me. I would like to learn more about min requirements, so when we do re-home its good enough for them. Though I do know the general theory bigger is better from re-homing the rabbits.
They currently are in a Freddy Savic 2, which I hear plastic is bad for them. We do have a metal cage which is a lot longer, though the depth and height is a lot smaller.
A bit about the boys - dad is 6year old, blind in one eye and possibly has diabetes, his sons were born end of Feb. It was a bit chaotic we were given male degu's and in the end only one was actually a male. The males are friendly, dad isn't too sure but that's mostly because of his sight I think, boys are overly eager to play.
Constructive criticism is welcome, like I said I'm new and mistakes are always made no matter what we do in life.
Thank you.
|
|
|
|
Post by pixierabbit on Jun 8, 2012 22:18:00 GMT
These are our metal degu cages. Just thought I'd share as I have no idea what make or anything. The smaller one is with me but empty and the larger one has 3 females in at the rodent branch of the rescue. Thank you. Attachments:
|
|
|
|
Post by dusty on Jun 8, 2012 22:42:06 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by pixierodentrescue on Jun 8, 2012 22:55:38 GMT
The bottom one I have 3 females in at the moment and I think it's a John Hopewell double  |
|
|
|
Post by luluzellbell on Jun 8, 2012 23:05:24 GMT
I am sorry to say, but I think your wheel is too small!
The degus must have a wheel that is 12 inches in diameter at least, because the arching of the spine causes serious damage to them, and could be fatal. a metal wheel is much better, or even a large plastic one. A running plate is also an option.
Enrichment wise, my goos love apple twigs to gnaw on, ropey hanging toys, and plenty of boxes cardboard tubes, swings, hammocks, stuffed egg boxes (with hay and oats) and parrot perches. They get a lot of time out of their cage for playing and running, which is good for them. Most of these toys can just be thrown when new goos come in, and replaced easily.
As to cage sizes, people here recommend a cage that is 100length, 100height and 50depth in cm, with three full levels to maximise running space. a forum member has worked out a method of what we call CARA. I'm rubbish at hyperlinks but it is in the cages and housing section, and it is bookmarked, titled this forums cage size recommendations.
In a rescue it is difficult to provide larger cages, but as degus get older they will need much more space or else they could begin fighting and generally aggressive towards you and their cage mates.
I don't mean to come across really horrible.
Enjoy the goos!!;D
|
|
|
|
Post by pixierabbit on Jun 8, 2012 23:11:45 GMT
Thank you Dusty, yes it was from pets at home, I'll certainly look for another one and see about joining together, and getting a deep base a the bottom. My partner agreed to a rat cage and a degu cage in the house for rodents, so want a decent goo cage. If anyone can help out on getting deep metal bases and how to join the metal cage on on top of the other please message me or say on here |
|
|
|
Post by pixierabbit on Jun 8, 2012 23:31:12 GMT
Thank you, I am wanting to learn how to make wheels out of a cake tin, it was a wheel that came with them I think, was perfect for the babies, but now you're right they're getting to big for it. If anyone can link me to clear instructions or a decent priced metal wheel (so it can be cleaned easier once goo's find a new home and use for future goo's) please let me know!
Thank you, I had no idea on min cage size, is that just for all goo's in general or for a certain group size? We had a cage metal one with a deep base, metal wheel, sand bath, all the toys under the sun, but we let the original goo's go to their new home in it! So I know exactly what size cage it is I need now thank you, it's just looking for it. x
|
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Jun 9, 2012 4:22:29 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by pixierabbit on Jun 10, 2012 10:52:27 GMT
Thank you sweetie you've been very helpful. I dont know how I'm going to be able to put another level in and clean out/reach in cage if that makes sense? Shame its not a huge door all the way in front. I'm keeping my eyes out for a large metal cage as I keep goo's in my bathroom same as I keep my rats, but my rats are moving into a T3 at some point so need to rethink where goo's go. If we weren't so full of busy I'd contemplate keeping them, we're certainly going to pick degu's as our next rodent pets lol because at least my partner loves the degu's (he hates rats  ) |
|
|
|
Post by moletteuk on Jun 11, 2012 11:00:35 GMT
I could have sworn it's possible to put a bigger shelf in a Thickets cage, but I can't find any pics. Perhaps you could make the door bigger to make access easier to a top shelf. Or maybe you could extend the shelf with something hanging that can easily be removed.
It's usually quite easy to pick up thickets cages second hand cheaply and then you can connect two or three together. This might work quite well for you as you would be able to divide them off again easily in a rescue emergency. I think you need 3 thickets cages joined to meet size recommendations.
You can join wire cages or increase the door size by cutting the wire, with diagonal wire cutters (or similar), and then wiring them together with any type of wire, garden wire is usually easiest to find. You can buy big rolls of suitable mesh in Toolstation or B & Q or if you just want small amounts, you can buy good mesh panels in Wickes for just over £1. You can do repairs or extensions or modifications with the mesh. If you need to cut a metal tray, you will need a jigsaw and/ or a hacksaw, and then a file to make it smooth.
It's fairly straightforward to make a wheel from a cake tin with a scooter wheel or flanged bearing, there are instructions in the links deguconvert gave. I would say the dog bowl is a better 'vessel' as it's stainless, but I personally feel the dog bowls only work well if you set them on an angle to give a fairly flat running surface, there are instructions for that in the links too.
|
|
|
|
Post by pixierabbit on Jun 18, 2012 1:30:37 GMT
Thank you Mole that was very informative and helpful. I did see someone who had a three tier cage the same length/depth as the thicket and was gutted because she wouldn't deliver to me despite me being like 5/6 miles away  |
|
)
