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Post by Lrak on Oct 5, 2012 7:53:44 GMT
He is so cute!
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Post by moletteuk on Oct 5, 2012 14:43:38 GMT
Well, that's healthier for him than the tank as it has good ventilation through bars, but it's still way to small, I'm afraid. I guess you need to work out what you are doing introduction wise to know what to do for housing, the number of degus affects the size you need. For one or two degus you need min 1850 sq inches of running area, this is the equvalent of around 3 layers at 36" by 18". Can I ask in what way you can't picture a Ferret Nation type cage for degus? Here's some links as to how you can set them up: deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Cage&action=display&thread=15977also, Mel's post on p12 of deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Cage&action=display&thread=6918&page=12Perhaps because he is injured you are not getting to see how energetic and busy they can be? It's lovely to see his cute face
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Post by silverphoenix69 on Oct 5, 2012 18:09:25 GMT
Because to buy the things needed to set up the cage, Im having a very hard time finding anything other then ordering online. Every pet store I have gone to doesn`t really have anything safe for degus. I know how energetic they can be, but until I can figure out how to build a cage for him and be able to order things online, this is the best cage I could find for him that didn`t cost me a crazy amount as he wont be staying in it for long. He really loves it, and is going crazy all over the cage having a blast. I love watching him have so much fun
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Post by yasmin on Oct 9, 2012 20:21:02 GMT
Hi silverphoenix: I'm not that far from you - I'm in Ottawa (well, Manotick technically). I, like Karma, got my Critter Nation cages from Flower Town Chinchillas in Brampton (you can google them and it will bring you to their online ordering site). I've never built my own cage but building supply stores like Home Depot, Rona, Lowes, should have the materials you need (though, I'm always suspicious of what might be added to the wood you buy – don't know how to tell if it's sprayed with chemicals or not). I've also read that some people modify Ikea furniture to make a cage but I've never done that. Like Karma, I also bought the tall-edged metal trays that Flower Town sells for the Critter Nation cage (you might want to consider building a cage that these will fit in because they are so easy to clean). I line these with paper and then put Carefresh on top. On the flat plastic half-sized ledges that come with the cage I put newsprint and then a straw mat that Living World makes. The large size is large enough to cover the whole ledge. I clean the large bottom trays at least once every two weeks, and the half-shelves every three or four days (depending) but I have 5 degus in each double unit. For food, I feed mine Versele-Laga Degu Nature food and Sunseed Sunscription Vita Exotics Degu Formula along with veggies and other non-sugary treats like rosehips and puffed rice, etc. I can't tell the size of the wheel that you have. It should be the large wheel that is sized for Chinchillas (I think they're 12 inches) or they hit their backs on the metal bits. Flowertown Chinchillas sells metal flying saucer wheels that are ideal because they are quieter, don't have metal mesh (they're solid metal – easier on degu feet) and don't move around because they attach to the cage bars. They also sell all kinds of goodies like Chinchilla sand in bulk, rose hips, chew toys, etc. If you have something specific that you need help finding, I should be able to help you track it down or suggest what stores to check out (PetSmart, Pet Valu, etc.). (You can either start a thread or send me a message.) For friends, the Ottawa Humane Society presently has two male degus that need adoption (check their web site) or you can try the Toronto Humane Society/SPCA or Petfinder. Also, I know of a pet store here in Ottawa that sells them. Oats is one very lucky and cute little fella.
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Post by Lrak on Oct 10, 2012 9:08:31 GMT
A tip for telling if timber has chemicals on it or not (well in the UK anyway, not sure what its like over there) but if you look at the colour, normal timber should be a bit lighter then treated timber (if its dyed green then its treated) also is the smell, timber should smell like timber and not like solvents. If you are still in doubt then ask someone as they should know if the timber they have in is treated or not. There will be times when its hard to tell as timber changes colour as it gets older but if no-ones is looking then take off about 7mm for an edge and have a look at the colour, non treated should be the same colour after about 5mm as it is on top, treated will be a differant shade after 5mm or so. If it is sheets of ply or MDF then the sheets should tell you if they are treated, the only thing i can say on that is if its WBP then make sure you edge it with kiln dried pine or something like that as the glue in it is very narsty. The same goes for marine ply. Kiln dried pine/timber is what it says, its timber that has been dried in a big kiln this is good when it comes to pine as it has all the tree sap dried up in it. Air dried is not so good unless you know it has been dried for the correct amount of time ( i cant remeber this of the top of my head but will let you know when i can remember it) With softwoods like pine, if there is a blue tint or stain to it then do not use it! this is a mold that grows when timber is left on the forest floor to long after felling, its safe for people and construction but i would not trust it with small animals. Sorry if that sounds like i was talking down to you but it was the easiest way i could think of putting it ;D i have a degree in timber science ;D not that it means alot ;D Hope this helps
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