shelbyglegghotmailcom
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Post by shelbyglegghotmailcom on Jun 7, 2004 3:04:25 GMT
My parents want me to move my degu out of my room. I was wondering that since it's summer, if they can live outside. With protection in a cage of course. I was just wondering and if they are do you have any ideas about how to keep them becuase I'd like to give him SOME access to the grass. Thanks! Shelby
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Jun 7, 2004 15:27:28 GMT
I really think that a pernament move outside would be a bad idea. I have my Degu family outside in their cage on warm days, with a shade to half the cage, and for an hour or so they like it, but then they get too hot, and cant settle.
Degus dont cope well with temperature change. So the difference between day and night could be too much for them.
If you can, keep them in your room, or at the very least inside,where temperature change isnt too great.
Regards the grass, ensure there are NO chemicals on it. unlike rabbits, Degus dont eat grass, but they are very fond of dandilion leaves!!
Let me know how you get on!
Meg
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Post by shelbeanie on Jun 7, 2004 23:56:07 GMT
We have found a place to put the cage. It's under a shelter and we can put a blanket or board over it so there is no drastic change. There would be no chemicals on the grass. It's just for summer-time too so in the winter they'd be indoors. Thanks for your help!
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Post by Shelby on Jul 4, 2004 23:22:41 GMT
TEXTWe didn't move him outside. He is downstairs where it is a good temperature. But... (there is always a but) I would like him to be able to run about and I don't have a ball (I'm going to buy him one). The last ball he had, he chewed his way out of it... And he isn't that happy. He's just sitting on the bottom of his cage most of the time and I'm getting worried about him. So I put him in the bathroom where he couldn't get into anything or hide under anything and he pirked right up. Then I brought him outside and he checked the place out and got away from me  (oops!) but we caught him again. That's why I wanted to build a hutch thing outside. So I can put him in it for an hour or so, just so he can have some fresh air and a change in scenery. Any ideas? Shelby
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Heddy
Foraging Degu
Posts: 63
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Post by Heddy on Jan 10, 2005 16:27:57 GMT
Hello Shelby,
If you got tiled floores in the bathroom, this is usually the best room to give them a run.
Just make sure all sources of danger are eliminated: put the lid of the loo down (they will try to jump onto it), shut the door and window, block all ways behind washing mashines and put all containers of showe gel, cleaners and detergents out of the degus reach.
I have read some reports of people keeping degus outside and it seems to be quite a bit of work to prepare a break out safe cage outside and a worm place for the winter... I guess it is at least cheeper to keep them insinde.
Your last message sounds like you only got one degu? If so, please try to get him a pal. In nature degus live in small families within huge packs. If you keep your degu alone for too long, it will harm its health. The reports I heard about degus kept on their own reaches from just sitting in a corner and ignoring everything around to a degu, that started to eat its own tail and limbs.
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Jan 10, 2005 16:51:34 GMT
A temporary secure run that you can place on the grass when it is warm outside would be great! Make sure that you cover one end though, as on sunny days he may need some shade!
Good luck! ;D
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Post by Shelby on Jan 11, 2005 6:13:58 GMT
I did have him a partner... He killed her. Yes. He attacked her, but only when I wasn't looking! I made sure I looked them both over each day. One day I came home from school and.... She was dying. Animals are quite smart... They know what to do. He is much happier living on his own than he ever has been.... He plays with my dogs and cat!!! (I keep a VERY watchful eye). I don't want him killing another animal, so, I'm just gonna keep him on his own and play with him. I know of the risks, but I think it's even more of a risk if I keep him with another degu.
When I bought him, he was alone, and I think he adjusted to that and likes his space.
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Heddy
Foraging Degu
Posts: 63
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Post by Heddy on Jan 11, 2005 17:24:35 GMT
Hello Shelby, I only heard of that behaviour of guinea pigs and gerbils before... But I agree, that he probably is not used to "sharing his kindom" with another Degu and probably went asocial...Very sad! And I fully understand you not to try it again. When you built a run for outside, make sure that there are no little gaps he could escape through. Also make sure, there is no soft ground - they love digging and find a way out while you are just sipping from you glas of lemonade.  |
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Post by kellynax on Feb 4, 2005 13:51:05 GMT
Im having trouble training my degu's, has anyone got any tips? Ive tried using food to encourage them but the problem is one of them is very confident and she'll come right over but them she wont let the other near. She has been known to make noises at her and even turn around so her bum is in front of the other one and she moves around so the other degu cannot get near. She is quite a bully. The second degu is really very shy and just backs off and trys again later.
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Feb 4, 2005 16:58:06 GMT
Hi Kellynax. I notice from what you said about how they act with each other, its clear that the one you say is a "bully" is probably the "boss" so behaving like this is quite natural.
Regarding trying to train them, it really just takes a lot of patience, and continual rewarding of the right behaviour. They will get there in the end!
SUNSHINEMEG ;D
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Post by kellynax on Feb 7, 2005 11:09:07 GMT
Thank you - I shall keep trying!
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Heddy
Foraging Degu
Posts: 63
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Post by Heddy on Feb 11, 2005 9:05:28 GMT
Hello Kellynax, Training Degus is extremly diffucult and the success is usually not comparable with what you could achive with a rat. We have five of the little ones, and the problem you described occured regularly. We then tried to train them with two people. The bully can only be in one place, and if his attention is attracted to something/somebody new, you have more chances to acces the others. When you want them to come to you, for example, always use the same "short" commands and food usually is very helpfull in training, too.  Good luck with your Degu training! Heddy |
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Post by Sunshinemeg on Feb 15, 2005 12:44:59 GMT
While I agree that training degus can be tough, I have to say that the rewards are great! Our degus know their name, and can distinguish between which name is being called. Therefore when one is chewing the bars, we can ask him to stop, he looks up, the rest carry on with whatever they are doing!
You need to make sure when offering treats that you have enough to go round. If need be, actually move the dominant degu so the quieter one can get near.
Good luck!
SUNSHINEMEG ;D
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Willow
Warbling Degu
Posts: 31 
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Post by Willow on Feb 17, 2005 18:22:26 GMT
Shelby
My girls get out to run around every night. They live in a large rat cage which sits inside an 'underbed' type box so there is a gap between the cage and the bed box. When they're out, depending on their mood, they'll shred the paper at the bottom, chew wooden clothes pegs, run up the sides of the cage and sit on top or run around the top of the bed box. They have a great time and the bed box keeps them safe and the mess contained! They really miss it if they don't get out. The only thing is they have to watched at all times as degus will get up to anything and if yours are chewers nothing is safe. To date the chew list includes several houseplants (no ill effects), the bed box, the plastic base of the cage and the wallpaper so keep your eyes peeled.
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(oops!) but we caught him again. That's why I wanted to build a hutch thing outside. So I can put him in it for an hour or so, just so he can have some fresh air and a change in scenery. Any ideas?
