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Post by deguconvert on Aug 3, 2017 23:01:07 GMT
You are planning to divide this space to hold the two boys, yes?
Oh, and btw, a good turn out for your first go!!
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Post by zenaida on Aug 4, 2017 0:16:03 GMT
Wow! That was fast! I took a month to build mine!
In builds like yours I have seen people do ropes going diagonally from the top to the bottom and it seems like it is a nice "ramp" for them to get up and down. Maybe consider adding that?
You said you plan introductions, have you considered how you are going to add a barrier for them? It will probably be tricky in a build like yours. Assuming you're just getting one more, best would be to split it in half front to back where the doors meet in the middle, but it would be hard to secure the mesh like that.
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Post by masters02 on Aug 4, 2017 9:43:10 GMT
Do Degu's like to have plenty of open space? Or should we provide some extra places for him to crawl / hide in?
And yes we do plan an intro, ill probably make wood / mesh divider for each level as per the doors! Not sure how I'll attach it all though...
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Post by Deleted on Aug 4, 2017 9:46:27 GMT
No, free floor space is somewhat important so they can run unobstructed, but toys and things in there are fine.. they need lots of stimulation. Hanging stuff is great too, as it provides extra places for hiding and playing that's using up wasted air space.
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Post by misscatafer on Aug 4, 2017 10:44:55 GMT
What I do in my cage is always leave a route from the bottom of the cage to the top free of toys or obstructions for them to be able to use to sprint using the levels and ramps. My bottom level is fab as it is 160cm across and is solid ground, so I always make sure they have space to run down there too.
They do love spaces to hide in and stash away all their treasures, so it is just about being tactful with where you place things to make sure they still have that route to run around.
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Post by zenaida on Aug 4, 2017 13:29:40 GMT
To a certain extent, they will let you know what they like and don't like. I have some random wood bits that I toss in every cage cleaning. They always like to decide "where they go" and I'll find the wood in a pile later on. As another example, mine don't like bedding under the saucer at all. It is a hiding place for them and they will completely dig out that area almost immediately after a cage clean.
If they are digging or chewing at something a great deal you might consider moving it because they want it rearranged. On the flip side, sometimes I intentionally place something in an "annoying" place for a little enrichment.
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Post by masters02 on Aug 4, 2017 15:38:24 GMT
He seems very nervous and timid since coming into his new cage, even more so than in his first smaller cage!
I guess this is likely because we've only had him 4 days? Hopefully he'll come out of his shell soon
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Post by zenaida on Aug 4, 2017 16:15:37 GMT
It's to be expected. New territory could be hazardous so he will be cautious at first. My girls took nearly 3 days to explore their whole enclosure when they first came home. Even then it took like another month before they expanded and used the top level consistently. Once he gets more established and the whole place smells like him, he'll be all over the place!
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Post by bouncy on Aug 4, 2017 18:51:29 GMT
That looks great! How is Peanut settling in? Is he still running around exploring?
The only things I would say are to consider adding a wheel (12" diameter minimum), and think adding some aluminium strip to the door frame areas - you'd be surprised how quickly little goo teeth can destroy wood!
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Post by masters02 on Aug 4, 2017 20:32:48 GMT
We just got him and extra large wheel and he absolutely loves it!!
Also gave him his first monkey but today, he couldn't work out what to do with it so just ran around with it in his mouth for 20minutes, hilarious!!
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Post by bouncy on Aug 4, 2017 21:21:19 GMT
Bless! My younger group took a while to figure out there was something inside the shell. Sausagegoo was totally uninterested until one of the others showed him. Even though he lived alone at the time, Squidgy coveted pecans so much, he wouldn't put them down in case someone took it, even running in the wheel! Ah, yes! I remember you telling us you'd ordered a wheel! Must be the paint fumes
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Post by masters02 on Aug 4, 2017 21:31:15 GMT
Well twice tonight he has enjoyed a belly rub from me, so I think he is definitely settling in!
Thanks all for the advice so far!
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Post by masters02 on Aug 5, 2017 14:26:27 GMT
We have found 2 degus that need adoption, 1 is a 2 year old ex breeder who apparently needs lots of attention, the other is a 13 week old.
Hard question I know, but does anyone have any thoughts on what age would match best with Peanut? (5 months we think)
Thanks
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Post by masters02 on Aug 5, 2017 19:21:40 GMT
We decided to go for the 2 12 week olds, the cage has been split down the middle so fingers crossed it all goes well
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 5, 2017 23:44:15 GMT
OK!! Will be watching to see how things are going!
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Post by masters02 on Aug 6, 2017 7:28:13 GMT
We put them in the other half of the cage lastnight, and immediately the 2 brothers (Dobby & Draco) immediately starting fighting! All the while Peanut is pacing the cage seemingly trying to defend his territory.
We gave it a little while to settle down, Draco had asserted himself over Dobby and now wanted to dominate Peanut...
They both met at the mesh and were lunging for each other through the holes, it culminated in Peanut getting a bloody paw. We then moved the 2 boys back into the other cage and moved them away!
We feel awful, we were trying to give Peanut a happier life and the poor guy gets a sore paw for his troubles!!
Not sure how to move forward, it's clear that right now they cannot tolerate each other!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2017 9:32:28 GMT
You need to make sure you always double up mesh.. and leave a 2-3cm gap between the two pieces. It means nobody can get injured.
Sorry it all went off a bit strangely.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 6, 2017 9:33:35 GMT
Introducing can take months and sometimes years unfortunately, it's never usually a walk in the park.
What's your plan?
If you lay out your plan to us we can help you by highlighting certain pitfalls or suggesting something better, at the very least let you know what to expect x
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Post by masters02 on Aug 6, 2017 10:15:15 GMT
Currently Draco and Dobby are back in their separate cage and seem to be getting along fine. Peanut seems to be a lot happier again now the other 2 are gone.
Is it really worth all the stress for the poor animals? If so, we will work on a plan to re-introduce them at a much slower pace but right now it seems as though they are all happier being kept apart...
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Post by zenaida on Aug 6, 2017 11:28:44 GMT
In general introductions are worth it. Yes it is stress now, but it really improves the quality of life. It just is going to take time.
I'm trying to find a human analogy and the best I came up with is college. So you go to college and they throw you in with random people in classes, as a roommate, etc. It's stressful, you have to form new relationships and navigate new personalities. It's not fun and maybe there are some fights along the way. But in the end you usually walk out with life long friends.
This is sort of like that for degus only they understand less and have less choice in the matter. They do want to make friends, but it is hard. "That one smells weird." "Are they going to eat my food?" Your boys are just using the communication they have to figure each other out. Your job is to keep them apart right now, but give them the chance to "get to know each other".
Also keep in mind all the changes you have happened very quickly for them all. Peanut has only been with you about a week and you moved their home midway through the week. It's like getting to college, just starting to get settled in your single then suddenly the college moves you to a much nicer bigger room. Again you're getting settled... But then suddenly your space is cut in half and two strangers walk in to live with you. Plus the college administration won't tell you anything and you don't know what will happen next. This whole transition is happening very fast for them. If you can, just slow down.
As long as Draco and Dobby aren't fighting in the other cage, I would say keep them there. Put the two cages as close together as you can without their behavior changing much. Right now you want to go for "they are ignoring each other" to start with. That distance is different for everybody, it might be across the room, it might be the two cages right next to each other. What you want to do is give them the time to settle in and get used to the sounds and smells of each other.
Once you've done that: don't move them for awhile! Again, you want everyone to settle in and feel "at home". That will take some time. I think it took at least a month for my girls to really settle in when they got here. And that's with them being a stable group when they came. It might take longer for these boys because they also need to meet each other.
Lots more can be said about what to do beyond this to bring them together, but lets save it for later. To me it sounds like the most important thing your boys need is stability.
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