quinn
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by quinn on Jan 2, 2013 11:53:42 GMT
Hi all!
I'm Anji, and a few days ago we adopted our first degu, Radagast. We (my husband and I, and my son Wee Chum) are old hands at keeping rats, but we've never had degus before and I understand that their care needs are a bit different.
We plan to get Radagast a friend or two as I was told that, like rats, they thrive in groups. So far he has been a sweet little thing - considering he was found abandoned outside the pet shop we adopted him from, he is remarkably gentle and has only bitten my husband twice and me not at all! We've not picked him up yet, only offered our hands for him to get used to our smells and the occasional belly rub which he seems to like.
The guy in the pet shop seemed fairly knowledgeable, but told me the only food Radagast could have was designated degu food (we bought the shop's own brand) and the occasional tiny piece of apple so he doesn't get diabetes. From my research it would seem that this isn't entirely true?
If someone could link me to an idiot's guide to degus here or elsewhere I'd be very grateful. I will be reading as much of this forum as I can to educate myself as well. Thanks for reading!
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Post by listracian on Jan 2, 2013 12:22:09 GMT
I can't link to anything as I'm on my phone but... Welcome to the forum! We have various sections with different threads of information. The nutrition section had all you need to know about food! Not everyone here feeds degu food and we have a natural feeding project going on too! I can't link like I said but you should find everything you need here but if you have any questions please do ask  |
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Post by dusty on Jan 2, 2013 12:29:19 GMT
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quinn
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by quinn on Jan 2, 2013 12:39:38 GMT
Thanks listracian and dusty! I've just read a link I found about taming degus, which looks like it has some great ideas as well. He's around 12 weeks old, and I assume the earlier the better when it comes to introductions, as it is with rats?
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Post by ntg on Jan 2, 2013 12:43:43 GMT
I'm just going to plunge into the deepend here seen as you said you were thinking about getting some more (great idea btw - they live in colonies in the wild so they tend to start pining without the company of others). Have you checked out the cage size recommendations ( deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Cage&action=display&thread=9396 ) for them as they are a lot different to rats and require a lot more space because they travel up to 9 miles a day in the wild! This also makes a 30cm/12" wheel pretty important. As Dusty said they love to chew on things, so a good supply of wood will be very welcome. Where abouts in the world do you live (countrywise) so we can try and point out some good products for you. Also, welcome to the forum, I got a tad ahead of myself, and welcome to the strange world of degus! |
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Post by ntg on Jan 2, 2013 13:00:32 GMT
Thanks listracian and dusty! I've just read a link I found about taming degus, which looks like it has some great ideas as well. He's around 12 weeks old, and I assume the earlier the better when it comes to introductions, as it is with rats? Intros can be complicated, but generally it is easier to introduce them when they are younger. One thing I would suggest doing is to check the sex of your boy and then double check the sex of any new additions that you get as they are easily mistaken to somebody who doesn't know how. deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=beginners&action=display&thread=13070 |
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quinn
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by quinn on Jan 3, 2013 17:54:43 GMT
newtogoos - I have given him my rats' wheel that they never used, it is just over 12" diameter and is solid plastic rather than metal bars, as I know the ones with spaced rungs aren't good for them. I am in Portsmouth, UK. We were looking at a two-tiered metal cage, do you think that would not be enough floor space for him/them?
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quinn
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by quinn on Jan 3, 2013 18:09:57 GMT
(By two tiered I mean it has two full sized levels and two half sized ones).
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Post by ntg on Jan 3, 2013 18:27:59 GMT
It depends on the size of the cage, do you know the dimensions/make of the cage so that we can have a look? You might find that it would work out cheaper to make a wooden cage, if you feel up to it.
We tend to recommend a cage that is 100x50x100cm with 3 full levels for 2 degus.
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quinn
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by quinn on Jan 3, 2013 23:43:53 GMT
It's an Explorer cage, we have one for the rats and we're buying another from a friend for the degus.
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Post by ntg on Jan 3, 2013 23:54:02 GMT
The explorer is often used around here! The only thing is you'll need to convert the plastic shelves for wooden ones so they're okay to chew. I can find a few threads for you from people who have converted them if you like? |
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Post by ntg on Jan 4, 2013 0:55:44 GMT
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Post by deguconvert on Jan 4, 2013 6:18:11 GMT
Hello Anji and welcome to the forum!! I want to say right off, I love the colour or your hair and the lovely bright blue of the blue bird tats. LOVE the colours! Well done, bringing home an abandoned little degu chap and giving him a home. The sooner you are able to introduce some mates to him, the better (but do be certain of their genders as they are terribly fertile and reproduce quite quickly). That way he will have companions which will keep him conversant with degu habbits and communication traits. You have had really excellent direction given to you thus far, so there isn't anything that I can think to add. Do let us know how you are doing, and don't be shy to ask any and all questions. |
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Post by saddlers on Jan 4, 2013 14:51:19 GMT
Welcome to the forum, and the wonderful world of goos....looks like the others have beaten me to it in terms of advice...as usual!! ;D
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quinn
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by quinn on Jan 5, 2013 16:50:31 GMT
The Explorer for the rats has 10cm deep trays for both big levels, I had them made for us. The supplier doesn't make them any more, but I've found several places that'll do us metal ones for under £100. My husband has said he can make deep wooden trays for much less than that. Would you go for wood or metal? Obviously I'll replace the plastic half-levels with wood.
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quinn
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by quinn on Jan 5, 2013 16:52:11 GMT
Also, we brought home two more degus (Gandalf and Mithrandir) this afternoon. The three of them are in the small cage at the moment, behaving like best buddies. Radagast just seemed so grateful to finally have degu company!  I imagine they're getting along so well already because they're all so young? |
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Post by ntg on Jan 5, 2013 18:10:41 GMT
I'd go for wooden, it might get chewed but it'll take a while to get through, has the advantage of being good for their teeth and it won't take much to replace it anyway! Plus degus tend to be less destructive in a bigger cage anyway! Congrats on the new(er) additions! My eldest (7 year old) is also called Gandalf |
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quinn
Newborn Degu
Posts: 12
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Post by quinn on Jan 5, 2013 18:20:13 GMT
That's good to know, we'll go for wood then! |
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I imagine they're getting along so well already because they're all so young?