Play pens

[joanne4]

Is there such a thing as a suitable shop bought play pen? I have looked around but can't find anything really suitable, the closest I have found is a pen designed for baby rabbits.

One of new goo's is getting so confident that I'm sure she'd love to come out to play, but our lounge isn't really degu safe, lots of wires etc, so a pen would make a big difference. Is the only way to get a suitable pen is to build one? I would prefer to buy, simply because this would be so much quicker, I could be waiting sometime for my hubby to get both the wood and then make one!

Any suggestions?

[Maravilla]

Where are you located?
For the UK, there are play pens available at zooplus.co.uk.
Personally, I would prefer this one:
www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/runs_fencing/73299/283806
I like the fact that it is covered so you can leave your degus alone without worrying that they jump or climb out of it.

There are other runs available but I do not consider those as suitable as the mesh distance is too big for degus.

[joanne4]

Thanks for the link. I like the look of it, but I'm a bit worried that the wood has a coating on it, so maybe not safe for chewing?

There is a hexagonal pen on the site that looks plenty big enough and can be folded away, the bar spacing is too big, but I wonder if its possible to attach some kind of mesh around it to prevent escaping goos! Would be ideal then.

[moletteuk]

It might be worth contacting them to find out if the wooden runs are coated.

Which hexagonal one were you looking at? I think the ones that are about 40cm tall are low enough that the goos will be really keen to be over the top, and you would need to secure a top mesh very well. I think the ones that are about 60cm would be better. As you have spotted, most also need finer mesh.

If you get the wood cut for you at B&Q, you don't need many DIY skills or time to put a pen together yourself, just thought I'd mention it

[lenny05]

here is a run that might be of use to you ww.ebay.co.uk/itm/HARRISONS-SANDFORD-SQUARE-SMALL-ANIMAL-RABBIT-GUINEA-PIG-CHICKEN-RUN-/251116997332?pt=UK_Pet_Supplies_Small_Animals&hash=item3a77bd4ad4

[joanne4]

What are your opinions on this pen? I have emailed the seller and the maker to get confirmation on whether it is coated or kiln dried, but with little success. The supplier thinks based on the pictures it is untreated, but can't confirm, they have no idea about anything else and just said if it was treated it would still be safe.

If it's suitable I'd like to buy it today and hop[e it makes it here before Christmas! I'd put cardboard around the top , to help stop them climbing out as I've seen that done on other similar runs.

www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/small_pets/runs_fencing/73299/184140

[moletteuk]

It's probably safe enough. The question remaining in my mind is whether they will just climb the mesh and be off. Does anyone else have thoughts on that?

[Maravilla]

Dec 20, 2012 19:33:50 GMT moletteuk said:

The question remaining in my mind is whether they will just climb the mesh and be off. Does anyone else have thoughts on that?

Therefore I suggested using a playpen with a roof... This one has one as two of the six parts can be used as roof, but in this case the playpen is somewhat smaller, but also safer.

[joanne4]

After much thought, we have decided to make one ourselves that will sit directly against the cage, so we can let them venture out of their own accord. It'll be much taller too and big enough for one or two of us to sit in it as well. Looks like a trip to B&Q is in order!

[lessthansign3]

DIY is often the way to go with these things. I've yet to find the perfect playpen, for any animal. The one I own is now used as a gate to block off the bedroom when we let the rabbits out When you do build something, take a picture and show us what you come up with!

[moletteuk]

Here's a thread on making a playpen. deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Cage&action=display&thread=7310

[lessthansign3]

Oh, and for anyone in the US interested in a playpen they don't have to make, here's a link to one that's popular with rat owners that I think would be degu-appropriate -

www.martinscages.com/products/cages/rat/ - The first item on the page, the Rat Playpen, in the large size. Obviously you wouldn't be able to climb in it with them (well, maybe you could if you lay down really flat or something, or maybe a child could) but it's enclosed, the bars are small enough that nobody can escape, and it folds up to be put away. I've never owned one, but I've been tempted to get one for the rats. It's by far the best little critter playpen available in the US, and although it's expensive, you won't find anything like it in a pet store.

[joanne4]

Well the girls have had a home made playpen for the last week and love it!

It's big enough for one adult and one child to sit in too, the girls love to climb all over us and a couple of them have a liking for nibbling hair!

It's great fun, as soon as we get the panels out, all four girls are at the door waiting to be let out. In fact, you can't open the doors at all without being jumped on!

My husband makes me laugh, he was so reluctant to spend more money what with the cost of the cage and everything, now he's planning a new and improved run with more space! I knew the girls would get to him in the end! ;D

[moletteuk]

That's lovely that the whole family are enjoying the goos, I think a playpen really does allow you to take things to the next level

I think degus possibly quite often involve quite a lot more expense than is anticipated, especially compared to other small pets, buts it's usually just initial investment in getting things setup just how you want them, and they definitely reward you with years of fun behaviour once you and they are happily set up

[tru]

Hi was thinking of making a play pen for the boys . Had thought of perhaps getting an old childs pen and boarding the sides. What do reckon?

[moletteuk]

What type of child's pen would it be? It might be just as easy to make a pen from scratch.