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Post by saskia on Jun 9, 2017 21:47:15 GMT
Ok I have 3 boys all 3 yrs old, all have been together since they we're young I adopted them off a friend about 5 months ago, 1 is blind in 1 eye and recently the dominant 1 has been fighting the blind 1 to the point that they both have injuries, the fighting has continued for about 5 days. Tonight our blind boy was soo exhausted from the fights that I took him out of the cage and he's just been happily lying on me (normally he's the fastest one) this was when we realised the extent of his injuries.
My question is will he be ok to go back in the cage tonight as I have nowhere to put him I'm am worried that if we put h back in the fighting will continue.
Any help would be appreciated
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Post by misscatafer on Jun 9, 2017 21:57:48 GMT
What do you think triggered the fighting? What cage do you have and are you able to section off an area of it at all for tonight?
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Post by saskia on Jun 9, 2017 22:13:04 GMT
Can't see it being the size of the cage as it's the 1 my friend had them in, they were fighting over food before so I made sure there was 3 food bowls and that seemed to settle things but at the beginning of the week that just stared going at it over the wheel so we said we'd buy another one but haven't been able to yet and it's just been the same everyday since then.
Wasn't till my OH noticed that the dominant 1 had some swelling to 1 side of the face so I watched over them whilst they had the most recent fight I noticed that our blind boy was very tired but still fighting so thought it best to take him out as the dominant 1 was just not letting up.
No unfortunately there is no way to separate part of the cage for him.
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Post by misscatafer on Jun 9, 2017 22:18:32 GMT
You definitely need at least two wheels for three degus, and you will surprised how much space they need! Is it a commercial cage or a homemade one (just thinking if the exact cage is known other members may be able to advise you on possible solutions for sectioning some off) Have you done a cage clean recently which could have upset the scents? Make sure you take the Sand bath out of the cage too if they have injuries.
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Post by saskia on Jun 9, 2017 22:32:46 GMT
It's a commercial one I've tried to find it to link you but can't find it.
It's an open cage with attachable corner levels.
Not had a clean but they are due one. The sand bath isn't in the cage any way as we were told they only needed it 1-2 times a week?
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Post by savvy on Jun 10, 2017 0:34:01 GMT
What are the dimendions of the cage? How many levels does it have not counting ledges?
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Post by misscatafer on Jun 10, 2017 6:36:24 GMT
I don't think there is a commercial cage large enough for three degus, so space could be an issue here. You may need to have a look at other people's cages in the 'show us your cages' thread to get some ideas on how to create more space for them to reduce the fighting.
With the sand bath, I think everyone does it differently. Personally I have a Sand bath in the cage permanently and a larger one in the play pen which is a communal one which they all share.
What did you decide to do overnight in the end?
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Post by saskia on Jun 10, 2017 9:15:44 GMT
Yeah looking into getting a larger cage as i think it is probably the main issue but may be a while before I can afford it unless I manage to find a decent second hand one.
I had to put him back in unfortunately as I have nowhere else to put him and no surprise but womble started on him almost straight away, I felt awful leaving him in there but I had no other option.
Measurements for cage: 30in height 30in width 19in depth.
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Post by misscatafer on Jun 10, 2017 11:52:10 GMT
That cage seems extremely small and most definitely would be the reason for the fighting... I'm sure when you increase the cage size you will see a reduction in the fighting and aggression. You need to be mindful that degus can kill each other during fights, so you need to think about either separating / dividing the cage or getting an appropriate cage as soon as possible.
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Post by saskia on Jun 10, 2017 15:41:11 GMT
Ok so with blinkin really not looking great we've set up the container we use when we clean them out as a sort of temporary cage for now but now womble is starting on our other boy, baa, I know that a bit of fighting is normal but don't understand why womble has got so aggressive all of a sudden.
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Post by savvy on Jun 10, 2017 16:24:30 GMT
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Post by goolover on Jun 10, 2017 22:03:46 GMT
Sorry to hear of your problems saskia, its never easy having these things suddenly happen when they have lived in harmony and leaves you in an upsetting situation. I have 7 goo's in one colony and have never had any problems in over a year as they have the space needed. They are all going through adolescence so you get the squabbles but no injuries or real fighting where I have had to separate. Space really is so important but at least you have found the reason for the fighting and know the cage upgrade is needed. Cash flow can be a problem for all of us but you might find a good deal on a 2nd hand site that you could house your bullied goo's in until you can afford a nice big cage.
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Post by moletteuk on Jun 11, 2017 12:53:27 GMT
Does Blinkin get on OK with Baa? If so, I would move the aggressive degu, Womble, into the temporary cage, and leave Blinkin and Baa together It might not be as straightforward as one degu being aggressive, but it's best to remove the most aggressive if you can so they can have a timeout situation, it sometimes makes them reconsider what is at stake if they have no friends and no wheel etc.
Once you get a larger cage and space to add another wheel you will remove the obvious territory issue and may or may not be able to figure out other things going on in the dynamic between them. It could be that the blindness is an issue or something else has upset the balance of power. If they have been happily together for 3 years then hopefully it is a hiccup that can be managed with some carefully thought out changes and interventions. I hope they are looking stronger and rested today.
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Post by deguconvert on Jun 12, 2017 5:25:27 GMT
Hello, Saskia, and welcome to the forum.
I am so sorry to hear that you have in the midst of great difficulties! As has already been identified, your cage is the main culprit here. May I ask, is it the cage that they were in when your friend had them? May I also ask if you are located in the UK? Knowing where you are, general area, means that sometimes we can help you to locate a cage.
Being able to procure and set up a cage that has the right dimensions and combined overall surface area means that you will be helping your boys to be reunited and hopefully stable in their relationships once again before too very long. Though I do fear that you will be in for some rocky ground for a bit. You will have to go through introductions and helping them to re-establish their relationships and be accepting of their hierarchy positions, which can be difficult. In the cage that you currently have, that will never happen, but there is true hope that they can be restored to good standing in a cage of appropriate size. It just makes just a huge difference for them.
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Post by saskia on Jun 14, 2017 8:58:48 GMT
Update, we have managed to reintroduce all 3 degus back together and all is well again there was a bit of a ruck at first but that quickly settled down and came downstairs this morning to see the 2 fighters snuggled up together, I do still plan to get a larger cage but I'm just glad that they are all happy together again I would have kept them apart in separate cages next to each other like was suggested but lack of space and a spare cage was an issue the container we were using to separate them was a big plastic clear tub so wouldn't have held them for very long.
Thank you all that gave me advice on proper cage sizing and everything else.
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Post by bouncy on Jun 14, 2017 10:39:23 GMT
I'm glad things have settled down for now. Whilst they are fighting for territory, they still need company! As to your cage situation, I can only echo the other comments about finding other cages and joining them together until you are in a position to find one large enough or are in a position to build your own. ANY increase in space will be beneficial, and may prevent serious injury in the interim. Unfortunately, pet store advice on degus is generally crap  |
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Post by misscatafer on Jun 14, 2017 14:47:14 GMT
I don't know if this would be an option.. But home base are selling large. Metal shelving units for £49 reduced at the moment, they are 4 levels, more than big enough I estimate around 6ft by 120cm...Maybe larger... It would just mean covering all the sides with mesh / some kind of wood and creating holes for access to the levels... But it would make a beautiful cage if you wanted something for under £100 but it would mean a high level of DIY.. Might be an option though? We were certainly intrigued when we walked past today!
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Post by bouncy on Jun 14, 2017 16:39:05 GMT
I did just that with the £24 shelves. I used three sets but, by the time I bolted all the units together, covered the mdf shelf boards in vinyl, etc, I think it took me quite a bit!  |
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Post by goolover on Jun 14, 2017 18:02:58 GMT
I don't know if this would be an option.. But home base are selling large. Metal shelving units for £49 reduced at the moment, they are 4 levels, more than big enough I estimate around 6ft by 120cm...Maybe larger... It would just mean covering all the sides with mesh / some kind of wood and creating holes for access to the levels... But it would make a beautiful cage if you wanted something for under £100 but it would mean a high level of DIY.. Might be an option though? We were certainly intrigued when we walked past today! Just had a look, awesome idea for a cage and certainly cheaper  |
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Post by misscatafer on Jun 14, 2017 18:36:56 GMT
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