help wanted :)

[chunkmatt]

hello all. iv decided to get a pair of degus as my new pet stepping away from reptiles. Just wondering what size cage would be suided for 2 degus? and if its best to get wooden or a metal cage but with hard floor to prevent bumblefoot.
Also another thing im a little stuck on is diet as everybody seems to have there own diet/way of feeding there degus.

All help is much appriciated!
ps sorry for any bad spelling! lol

[moletteuk]

Hi Chunkmatt

The recommended cage size for 2 or 3 degus is 100cm by 50cm floor size by 100cm tall with two full levels plus the floor. You don't have to provide this in exactly this shape, but you don't want shelves less than about 40cm deep and degus need to be able to run so you want to keep the width as big as possible too. There is more information about cages sizes here deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Cage&action=display&thread=9396

It's up to you what route you would like to go down for the type of cage A popular bought metal cage is the Xtrail/ Explorer/ Aventura/ Crittertrail, these are different names for very similar cages. Home made wooden cages are also very popular, you can make them to your own design and they contain the mess very well. It should also be possible to build your own metal cage.

Have a browse around the forum to see what is possible and see what catches your eye

Very briefly, minimum diet requirements are one or two bought food mixes, plus hay, plus other herb/leaf mixes, plus low sugar veg (dried or fresh), plus seeds and/or nuts or grains for treats. It is also possible to swap out some of the bought mix for your own mix of seeds, grains and plant/ leaf/ herb/ flower mixes, this is a fantastic project but you can cross that bridge when you come to it

Go ahead and ask any questions Degus make fantastic, rewarding pets, but they can be demanding if you aren't prepared.

[chunkmatt]

As far as wooden homes go would the front have to be mesh to allow for ventalation etc? as i have some big wooden vivs from my reptiles that im currently not using so i may convert one of them! with added shelves and levels.

As regards to food.. are veggies ok for them and which is best to avoid?

Thanks again!

[moletteuk]

The front doesn't have to be mesh if you have a big hole in the top and maybe one or two in each side low down, which you then cover with mesh and trim the hole edges with metal.
Can you make out the two large holes in the top of this?

I've used metal vents in the sides because there's a big gap all the way round the door, so the ventilation didn't need to be so free at the side vents in this case.

Here are some food charts, everything in the charts is suitable for degus, the veg in the top half of the veg table are best, but all are good in smaller quantities.

[Kins]

Hi and welcome chunkmatt. Looks like you've been given some great advice already by molette. I don't really have anything to add other than prepare to be shocked and amazed when you do get some goos. They are tricky little tricksters, full of mischief, but I wouldn't trade mine for the world.

Any more questions, be sure to fire away! Oh and check out the adoption page as there are quite a few goos around needing new homes.

[fredundant]

I just want to add, the more space the better.
Obviously they need the required space stated by Molette but the more you give them the more fun they will have. Which means they'll entertain you more giving you plenty of laughs as they play.

If you have the space give them as much room as possible. Do you have an empty alcove in your house? For an idea see the video in my signature for an idea of what you could do.

PS. By all means make your own wooden cage but be careful. Keep a close eye on it everyday. They will eat it, so be sure you can maintain it and chose a suitable wood that isnt harmful. Also I use apple tree branches for them to climb in mine. If you chose branches, again, cjeck what tree you are using and that it is safe. Good luck woth your degu's.

[deguconvert]

Welcome to the forum, Chunkmatt!! I hope you are finding any information you need or want. If you have questions, please ask any and all of them. Degus are . . . GREAT . . . and always a little different from what we expect when we first get them. Their differences are part of their charm though, and they are wonderful pets to have. I also second Moletteuk's warning that they can be a lot of work if you are not prepared . . . and even if you are prepared they can be a lot of work. They are definitely worth it, but learning their quirks and needs, as well as what they need to be well cared for can be a steep learning curve.