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hi
Jun 5, 2016 16:07:46 GMT
Post by spottydegu on Jun 5, 2016 16:07:46 GMT
Hi, I recently took in my first ever degus. I took them in 31st may and they are ten weeks old. imgur.com/gallery/i8E77Ok/newthe one on the left is chip and one on the right is drum. Drum has escaped once and it took us a while to get her back. Any advice on getting one back?
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hi
Jun 5, 2016 17:50:33 GMT
Post by deguconvert on Jun 5, 2016 17:50:33 GMT
Hello Spottydegu, and welcome to the forum!
It looks like you have the Thickets cage, yes? If so, you probably got it on the advice of the people at pets at home, and you will be rather dismayed to learn that it is not large enough to adequately house two degus. You actually need twice that space to meet the minimum for two. However, there are ways to modify these cages. One can't be modified enough to make it sufficient, but you can make additions, such as a second thickets, the addition of larger upper levels . . . and there is lots of help, pictures, and advice here for that.
Your little guys are beautiful!!
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hi
Jun 5, 2016 17:56:31 GMT
Post by deguconvert on Jun 5, 2016 17:56:31 GMT
Forgot about your question. Getting them back can be a true difficulty, as they LOVE to explore and are highly curious about their surroundings. One thing they find very hard to resist is a tube. A Pringles crisps tube can work very well, and once she is in, if you are careful and quiet enough, you can lift the tube and put her back in the cage. Just make sure it is cleaned out well enough once the crisps are gone. Also finding her absolute favorite treats can help. Try sunflower seeds and plain oatmeal in small, even tiny amounts to start. A couple of seeds, a flake each offering of treats. If they are loved, used them for training in moderation, and they will begin to learn things like answering to their names, and other commands that you can train them to. They can be very trainable, depending on their trust in you, the treats (they can be fussy and finding their kryptonite isn't always easy), and your skill to train. If you keep the treats in a closed jar and shake it every time you are giving out treats, they will learn to recognise the sound and will come running!
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Post by savvy on Jun 5, 2016 21:07:10 GMT
Oh they are beautiful!
Ditto on the cage. They do need a lot of space to run, jump and climb and they more toys you put in the cage, the less space they have.
As they get older their personalities become more prominent.
As a side note, please check that they are both the same sex, there have been mistake before which have resulted in unexpected pups.
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hi
Jun 6, 2016 9:40:22 GMT
Post by moletteuk on Jun 6, 2016 9:40:22 GMT
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hi
Jun 6, 2016 11:03:45 GMT
Post by bouncy on Jun 6, 2016 11:03:45 GMT
They are absolute sweeties! Ditto the cage - I usually beat everyone else to it. I must be slipping Over time, try and create a signal for them to come to you. For example, mine know my tapping the floor (or whatever surface they're on) means come over for a piece of dandelion root or to see something of interest. They then see the tube, and in they go! Having said that, mine go back in their cage of their own accord lol
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hi
Jun 6, 2016 15:58:53 GMT
Post by spottydegu on Jun 6, 2016 15:58:53 GMT
Hello Spottydegu, and welcome to the forum! It looks like you have the Thickets cage, yes? If so, you probably got it on the advice of the people at pets at home, and you will be rather dismayed to learn that it is not large enough to adequately house two degus. You actually need twice that space to meet the minimum for two. However, there are ways to modify these cages. One can't be modified enough to make it sufficient, but you can make additions, such as a second thickets, the addition of larger upper levels . . . and there is lots of help, pictures, and advice here for that. Your little guys are beautiful!! Thanks for that advice! Right now they are only apparently only half the size they will be but I have looked on ebay for cheaper versions of that cage!
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soremi
Foraging Degu
Posts: 109
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Post by soremi on Jun 6, 2016 20:28:40 GMT
If you keep the treats in a closed jar and shake it every time you are giving out treats, they will learn to recognise the sound and will come running! Be careful with that, Alabama always come to me when I make "treat sound" but somehow Virginia learn that it's mean I want her to go back to cage and she always hide. I don't know what I did wrong with her
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