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Daisy
Feb 22, 2015 22:31:55 GMT
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Post by teamdaisy on Feb 22, 2015 22:31:55 GMT
Hello,
We adopted our degu Daisy nearly a year ago now. we were in pets at home buying plants for our fish tank and hay for our boys (3 guinea pigs) and noticed Daisy in the adoption section. Few weeks later she was still there. I squeaked at her through the gap in the glass and she came over to say hi and that was it. We were hooked. Her partner had died and her owner decided not to bother with her anymore. On the way home she nibbled her way out of the box and lept straight on her wheel. We gave her space for the first few weeks and over the fist few months she seemed very happy. But since we got her she has never made a sound. Is that normal?
Anyway, now that we know she's comfortable with us and she's not scared of leaving her cage, we've started building her a nice big cag. We've been debating about getting her a couple of friends for some time. Online it suggests we get two same sex very young degus as she will look after them like they were her own. After reading threads on this site, we were thinking that maybe it would be best to introduce new degus before we put any of them in the new cage. That way, none of them have territory in the new cage. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts?
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Daisy
Feb 23, 2015 13:33:49 GMT
Post by moletteuk on Feb 23, 2015 13:33:49 GMT
It's not normal for them not to make any sounds, mine chatter away a lot, but if she hasn't got anyone to talk to I don't suppose it is that surprising. Does she make alarm calls, I would still expect a lone degu to make alarm calls?
First thing is to be very careful about sexing when you do introductions, don't trust the person you get them from to be right.
Practicalities usually come before the ideal location for introductions, eg I imagine it would be quite hard spacewise to have an adequate home for Daisy and then two new degus and also the new cage on standby. Personally, I would give priority to getting any degus in the biggest space ASAP because they can be more open to making friends if they feel they have territory to spare. In some ways keeping the new cage for introductions would be good because it is neutral and safe, but depending on the cage and doors, it may be difficult to intervene if you hit any problems. You may need to take your cue from the degus, if it looks like the intro might go quite speedily, then carry on in whatever way is convenient. If it looks like it might take a while, then it would be worth building a same level meeting place into a new cage, so the degus can get used to each other without being able to fight.
Sorry I haven't really got any definitive answers for you there. I would recommend thinking about building in a possible split cage to the cage you are building and start looking around for degus. Don't rule out adult girl(s), just have a look and see who is available in your local rescues and rehoming sites.
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Daisy
Feb 23, 2015 19:17:19 GMT
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Post by teamdaisy on Feb 23, 2015 19:17:19 GMT
Thank you for replying. I have heard her kind of screech a couple of times. But that was in our old house and happened only when someone really slammed the front door. But since then we have moved into a flat and she has a better space. I think being able to see the guinea pigs has helped her settle. They give her company during the day.
I've spent the day making platforms for her new cage. My calculations were a little out and the cage is actually huge. So I really could split it off. Maybe she will be happy on her own though? Once I've given her a much bigger cage?
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Daisy
Feb 23, 2015 19:23:20 GMT
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Post by teamdaisy on Feb 23, 2015 19:23:20 GMT
Oh and space isn't a problem. We rent an unfurnished flat. We've only bought furniture that we need and we don't own that much stuff. So all the animals we have, have been given a lot more space.
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Daisy
Feb 23, 2015 19:56:36 GMT
Post by ilikedegus on Feb 23, 2015 19:56:36 GMT
Introducing baby girls is likely to be super-easy. Is there a rescue near you that you can check for babies?
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Daisy
Feb 23, 2015 22:15:48 GMT
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Post by animalmadchloe on Feb 23, 2015 22:15:48 GMT
My degus al, I think in the two years of having them I think Iv heard him make a sound once!! My other three are extremly vocal and Im.always getting shouted at by Mr grey he sits in.the top level.if his cage giving me mouth till I go over and make a fuss lol
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Daisy
Feb 24, 2015 8:47:45 GMT
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Post by teamdaisy on Feb 24, 2015 8:47:45 GMT
There aren't any baby female degus in my area at the moment. I've been searching and searching.
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Daisy
Feb 24, 2015 11:10:34 GMT
Post by moletteuk on Feb 24, 2015 11:10:34 GMT
Definitely go for the introduction Are there any other candidates for introduction you have seen?
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Daisy
Feb 24, 2015 23:25:02 GMT
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Post by teamdaisy on Feb 24, 2015 23:25:02 GMT
Haven't found any female degus in my area, for sale or for adoption! Of any age! And I've called around everywhere I can find up to two hours away in the car. Starting to think I might aswell split the new cage and just get a set of boys to keep her company. But then that just seems a bit mean. She won't get any of the attention.
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Daisy
Feb 25, 2015 10:39:31 GMT
Post by moletteuk on Feb 25, 2015 10:39:31 GMT
I wouldn't recommend that as the close presence of a female is likely to upset the boys and cause them to fight, and like you say, won't benefit Daisy all that much. You could get a single male and have him neutered, if you have a decent vet.
You could try putting a wanted advert in our adoption area, you could even do the same on Preloved/ Gumtree.
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Daisy
Feb 27, 2015 22:37:46 GMT
Post by jamiee on Feb 27, 2015 22:37:46 GMT
You could try to find a neutered male degu, which, I admit, would be hard. A male and female pair get along quite well, and are apparently easier to introduce. But, be sure to take lots of advice from other people, as I am no intros expert!
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Daisy
Feb 28, 2015 12:19:26 GMT
Post by teamdaisy on Feb 28, 2015 12:19:26 GMT
We have (fingers crossed) found two 6 month female degus to adopt! So excited! its not for another week though. I've moved Daisy to a different spot in the house and she seems a lot happier. I've been reading up so much on the best way to introduce them. But there are so many methods and opinions. But I suppose its all down to their first reaction and the first couple of days. I really dont want to split their new cage if i end up with two sets of degus. According to the cage calculator its big enough for 7 degus! But the whole point of making it so big is so that they have plenty of space.
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Daisy
Feb 28, 2015 19:00:35 GMT
Post by moletteuk on Feb 28, 2015 19:00:35 GMT
That's good news! Are you using our cage size guide, it's more up to date than the degutopia one? Don't forget to triple check all genders before intros. First steps for intro are always to gradually put cages nearer each other, and to swap substrate and mix sand to get them a little bit familiar with each other. How you then proceed to do meetings depends on your circumstances and the degus. We always recommend swapping substrate, but not swapping degus as this can raise stress and territorial issues.
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