pam
Newborn Degu
Posts: 6
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Post by pam on Jul 27, 2013 18:39:41 GMT
Hi Everyone just signed up today
I am getting my degu's on the 17th of August soooo looking forward to it after keeping Rats for a number of years. I think I am prepared but are you ever lol no doubt I will be asking questions but have read up on them never can get enough information I think
so here goes
Pam
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Post by bijett on Jul 28, 2013 9:56:43 GMT
Hi, welcome to the forum and looking forward to seeing pics of your new babies when you get them.
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Hi Guys
Jul 28, 2013 13:11:22 GMT
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Post by ntg on Jul 28, 2013 13:11:22 GMT
Hi and welcome to the forum! If you want to you can tell us about your setup/show us pictures of your intended setup and diet for your goos and we can give some advice on things to add or change just to make things a bit smoother for your first venture into degu-keeping? Also, bet you're looking forward to the 17th
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pam
Newborn Degu
Posts: 6
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Post by pam on Jul 28, 2013 13:28:30 GMT
Hi ntg
Cage comes Friday we are having it from John hopewell the dimensions are 24" width x18" depth x48" high but the good thing about it is we can extend, it will have a steel wheel 10" and we will be getting another when the cage comes don't want to buy toys and things because we don't know how much room will be in it if that makes sense. We think it will need modifying I am really looking forward to it. Just reading the forums on diets and things was going to have a mix between reggie rat and guinea pig mix with degu nuggets what do you think ?
Bit confused about the sand bath as some people say keep it in the cage and some people say only let them bath every couple of days.
Pam
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Hi Guys
Jul 28, 2013 14:04:39 GMT
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Post by ntg on Jul 28, 2013 14:04:39 GMT
I'm so sorry to have to tell you this but the cage is a bit on the small side for a pair of degus due to it's length and width, as we recommend a cage of 100x50x100cm (lxwxh) with three full levels of bigger with the min base size of cage being 90x60cm (36x24 inches). Also the 10" wheel is too small for degus and will cause them back problems with constant use. His advertisement of them as a degu wheels has been a sore point with us for a long while. The only metal wheel currently on offer to buy that is big enough for degus (you are looking at 12" internal diameter or bigger) is this one deguworld.proboards.com/thread/17486/degu-exercise-wheel-upright-postageInstead of worrying about the cage, you may be able to find some cages on sale secondhand from gumtree or preloved that you should be able to use as an add-on to the john hopewell cage as I appreciate how much you must have spent on it. Again, I truly am sorry if this is what you have been recommended by other forums/sites. Some haven't updated their sites in a long time, despite being urged to. The feed you're suggesting isn't a good choice for degus. We have some stickied threads on commercial feed and a feeding guide (which is a little out of date and in the process of being edited): deguworld.proboards.com/thread/17365/commercial-food-chart deguworld.proboards.com/thread/16425/degu-feeding-guide
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Hi Guys
Jul 28, 2013 14:08:13 GMT
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Post by ntg on Jul 28, 2013 14:08:13 GMT
On the sandbath, it does no harm to keep it in the cage if you have space for it, the only problem is it tends to get used as a litter box and needs seiving and changing more regularly. At the moment my boys only get it in free-range on a daily basis as I have a degu with an open wound so it doesn't exacerbate the infection he currently has.
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pam
Newborn Degu
Posts: 6
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Post by pam on Jul 28, 2013 14:20:27 GMT
Oooooo right ok maybe the cage and wheel will be ok while they are babies. We got a lot of I formation from degutopia and looking on YouTube most of there set ups have the John hopewell wheels and the 10" ones are the biggest. Degutopia didn't recommend the size of the cage to be honest we thought a taller cage would be more to explore
I will take on board what you have said we are going to see the babies this coming Saturday so I will be asking a lot of questions to the breeder
Pam
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Hi Guys
Jul 28, 2013 14:30:19 GMT
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Post by ntg on Jul 28, 2013 14:30:19 GMT
He used to do 12" and 16" wheels designed for chinchillas so a lot of people would buy the 12" versions for their degus which might be what you've seen on YouTube? Asking the breeder is a good idea, including asking for any vets they recommend if they're close by! But, if for now you fancy some more reading material, all our info boards have some stickied threads which have a lot of good information on different topics
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pam
Newborn Degu
Posts: 6
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Post by pam on Jul 28, 2013 14:34:08 GMT
Already sorted the vet out its only 15 minutes away from us . I have had a good look on this site it's really good and helpful wish I had joined before I ordered the cage but glad I haven't had the degu's yet as I have lots to learn by the sounds of things
Thanks for your help
Pam
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Post by yasmin on Jul 29, 2013 2:02:15 GMT
Just want to welcome you to the forum too. Great to see you've found a vet, and one nearby no less. Looking forward to hearing about your degus when you get them.
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Post by moletteuk on Jul 30, 2013 15:43:06 GMT
Welcome Pam Degu husbandry has moved on rapidly over the last 2 or 3 years, the up to date advice is really worth taking note of as it focuses on allowing degus to be themselves and express their full range of activity and interest and so gives a richer life for them and us. Perhaps you could contact John Hopewell and see if he has started on your cage yet? I would urge you to try to get a wider cage rather than a tall one.
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