new adoptive mom

[degumomofmany]

Hello to the group

I live in a U.S. state where degus are illegal so I won't be telling you all where I live or using my real name.  Sounds paranoid, but for my degus sake, I'll err on the side of caution.  I am female, married, two kids, two dogs, two cats, 7 rats, and 8 (for now) degus. A few weeks ago I adopted 6  degu girls and my 7 rats from a small animal rescue that was closing, after doing lots of research on degus. I adopted 2 more girls (kept separate from the 1st 6) that were listed for adoption on my local Craigslist.

The first 6 girls have been living in a 40 gallon aquarium (about 5 cu feet) for most of their lives.  They consist of the mom and two sets of daughters from two different litters.  Their ages range from 3 years old (Mom), to 2 years old (1st litter), to 1.5 years old (2nd litter). I can't tell most of them apart yet.  The biggest one I'm calling Mama, the smallest one is Peanut.  One other girl has a darker patch of fur on her forehead and, predictably, I'm calling her Patch. The only 'fights' that occur, even in this crowded home, are over the one wheel.  It would be funny, if it wasn't so sad, seeing 5 or 6 of them all trying to get into the wheel at once.

I have been building them a much bigger cage, modifying a double Critter Nation (Aventura in the UK).  It should be finished this weekend.  Since they really can't be handled, I'll be taking out their wheel and hides and putting in a pickle jar with bathing dust to lure them in.  They will certainly love the room in their new cage, so I'm hoping they cooperate for the move. I will post pictures of the new cage when I get it done. I got a chinchilla wheel for the cage and it is so large that I think they might all be able to fit inside it if they really wanted to.

I adopted 2 other females from Craigslist and so glad I did, for their sake.  The previous owners had a large enough cage but were feeding only rabbit pellets.  They told me they tamed them using pieces of apple. When I picked them up I wasn't offered any hay or bathing dust, just the pellets.  I've been feeding them hay, fresh and dried herbs, flowers, seeds and veggies, and letting them bathe at least a couple of times a week.  It is gratifying to see that they don't really even eat pellets much anymore, although I offer a mix of chinchilla and guinea pig pellets I was given by the rescue.  The names they came with are Bruna and Zen.  I can only tell them apart because their tails are damaged in different ways from the metal open mesh wheels they had in their previous cage. These girls don't fight over anything except at feeding time.  I learned early on not to put the 'good stuff' in dishes.  I scatter their food over the floor of the cage and then cover with hay so they can forage.  Even though the food is everywhere, they sometimes still squabble. They love oats and I have gotten their trust enough to have them sit on the cage door and eat them as treats from my hand. They are about 3 years old.

I am going to put together another double CN cage for them after finishing the one for the 6 girls who need it more desperately.  I have been talking to another woman from Craigslist who advertised that she wanted to adopt out her degu who is depressed since her only sister died (from diabetes complications I was told).  This degu is supposedly healthy, just lonely.  If I am successful adopting her, I wanted to see if I could integrate her into the group of 2. 

That is pretty much my degu story for now.  I have been reading up a lot on this site and I think tomorrow I'm going to the health food store to see about buying some organic seeds for all my girls.

Just call me C in C

[yasmin]

Welcome to the forum, C in C. I must say that I am very impressed with your dedication to these goos and all that you are providing them. They (and the rats) are very lucky to have you.

I too use Critter Nation Double units (and one triple unit – bought an add-on level on amazon) and am looking forward to finding out more about the modifications you are making to yours. Hope to hear more about your 8 degus (and also your other animals).

[deguconvert]

Welcome to the forum, CinC! WOW! I, too, am impressed! You have taken on a lot, but my, you have it all so well in hand. Very well done! You have totally taken charge and it sounds like all are benefiting very well from your compassion, attention, and energy. For the sake of the lonely single female, it would be wonderful if she joined you and were successfully integrated with the two. I look forward to getting to know you better!

[degumomofmany]

Thanks for the kudos. I did go to the store today and get some allowed seeds. I put just a small amount in a little bowl and watched. Bruna and Zen went right to them and munched. The family of 6 was scared of the new bowl in their small home, but I saw a couple of them eating the seeds too. I probably would have already been done with the new cage except I read on this sight about giving them as much horizontal space to run as possible, so I decided to add another level. I'm going to put both of the CN shelves at the same level to make that 3rd level. I can't add another level to the bottom because the wheel is so large. Tonight for the first time both Bruna and Zen came out of the cage and walked on my knees.  I was sitting in a chair right next to the cage and had the door propped on my knees like a ramp.

[moletteuk]

Nice work, and I'm pleased they are responding to you already

I think you are doing the right thing making the most of the double CN cage by putting in the extra shelves before they move in, we would normally recommend even bigger for such a big group, but see how you get on, it is possible to add a third unit on top. Anyway, they are going to be over the moon when they move in and get settled compared to what they have had.

Food can be tricky in USA, do check the guinea and chin pellets don't contain molasses, it's probably worth checking to see if you can find a degu specific food, you might have to mail order it. Here's our feeding guide, commercial food chart and some america specific links
deguworld.proboards.com/thread/16425/degu-feeding-guide
deguworld.proboards.com/thread/17365/commercial-food-chart
deguworld.proboards.com/thread/16569/links-herb-supplies-american-threads

Have you had any thought what you could do about vet care? Perhaps you could ask at the rescue the 6 came from if they know a degu friendly vet who is willing to turn a blind eye to the legality?

[screaminturtle]

Well done, sounds like you're doing a great job :-D Welcome to the forum :-)

[deguconvert]

I am thrilled to hear that Bruna and Zen walked out onto your knees! That must have been exciting for you. However, be aware that they are cunning and they will see the opportunity to leap off and go exploring.

[degumomofmany]

moletteuk, I have not yet had to go to an exotics vet, and I will be using the one from the rescue. Supposedly, the state wildlife dept. has sent bulletins to local exotics vets to let them know if illegal degus come into their practices. Local shelters have to destroy any that are turned over to them. This was told to me be someone who had another rescue that had over 40 degus. Luckily, the last few were delivered to a legal state and adopted a number of months ago. This particular vet has seen all the degus the rescue had without a problem and I'm hoping he won't have an issue with me either.

Deguconvert, I have seen them eyeing the floor which is a mere 3.5 feet away (about 1 meter). My next project after getting the new cage finished will have to be making their area safe. I'm going to start a new thread to discuss my thoughts on that and to get other's ideas.

Today I went to the health food store into the bulk spices section and was able to procure anise seed, coriander seed, fennel seed, fenugreek seed, cumin seed, sesame seed, poppy seed, celery seed, and caraway seed, hulled raw hemp seed, chia seed, some blends of amaranth, millet, buckwheat, quinoa, barley in a packet. I also bought seed blends at the pet store in the bird section that have niger, millet, oat groats, flax seed, and sunflower seeds. I think I'll start another thread or add to a seed thread with my questions on feeding seed.

Thanks for the warm welcome.
C in C