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Post by karolinabie177 on Sept 13, 2017 10:11:55 GMT
Hello!! I found this one amazing cage with a price tag that suits me. But when I saw the dimensions I started questioning myself if it's enough. Dimensions Lenght 70 Depth 56 Height 102 Will it be enough if I add a couple of shelves that will cover almost the same as lenght x depth?
Edit: I known minimum is supposed to be 100x50 but will it be okay with shelves?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 13, 2017 10:31:59 GMT
Hi karolinabie177 and welcome! I have some questions if you don't mind: How many degus would it be for? Do you have a link? Or a price for us and we could find you a more suitable cage? To me, it's not big enough. It's only just over a meter high, you won't be able to fit many levels in there. It's also not long enough. So an example: for two degus you'd need a minimum of 3 full levels of 100x50. This is because degus are ground squirrels and they need as close to 100cm in length to be able to get a good running speed. More space than this is always better though. They cover big areas in the wild, small cramped spaces can cause fighting issues. My other issue would be with a cage that small, with added levels in, you wouldn't be able to fit a 12inch wheel in. If you could give us an approximate budget then I'd be happy to help you find a suitable cage. OR you could build one yourself if you're up to some DIY? We have some great walk through guides on the forum at the moment as there's been a few self builds recently! Please feel free to ask any questions! We love to help.
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 13, 2017 17:34:55 GMT
I agree with Emily. This is too small. Even if it were turned on it's side to create a longer length for running, and a complete level were built in so that there would be two floors, it still falls short of our minimum size recommendation for two degus. We use this for our cage size recommendations, if you are interested to look. deguworld.proboards.com/board/1/cages-housing-accessoriesDo you have a budget you are keeping for a cage purchase? Or perhaps the locations in your home are limited in the size the cage can be?
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Post by karolinabie177 on Sept 13, 2017 18:12:53 GMT
Thank you Emily! and deguconvert for your answers! Cages in my country are ridiculously expensive, so I thought about transforming an aviary to make it suitable for housing degus, because surprisingly, they are about 50% cheaper than some cages made for rodents. (And they are placed on a high legs making them nice and safe away from hungry cats) DIY Cage option: A while ago, me and my mother built one for my syrian hammy. It wasn't much of a hassle; they just don't look nice for me... And I think the wheels might be a problem. I could give you some information on the aviary I found. EDIT: I want to house three degus together
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 13, 2017 22:01:14 GMT
Please do show us the aviary cage you are looking at! We've some amazing tranformations of aviary cages to be used for degus.
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Post by karolinabie177 on Sept 14, 2017 17:30:52 GMT
Sorry for late replies I got home two hours ago hah So I saw this cage Ferplast Furret Tower and it has some amazing deep shelves that come with the cage. And the price tag is amazing too! Used in very good condition. Almost half the price of the new one. Size: 155 x 74,5 x 80 cm (heightxdeepxlenght) Not counting the second shelve
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2017 17:58:35 GMT
Unfortunately that cage is no good karolinabie177 I hope you haven't bought it already! It has plastic levels and a plastic base - your degus could chew out of it within minutes. Plus you'd struggle to get 4 levels in there x
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Post by karolinabie177 on Sept 14, 2017 19:41:08 GMT
No I haven't bought it. Thank you, I want my degus to have the best cage possible. So this is the aviary I found: bit.ly/2f9csiwOnly for the photo, text is not in English Measurements: 160/85/56 (heightxlenghtxdepth)
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 14, 2017 20:20:09 GMT
I actually kind of like that Ferplast Ferret Tower. If it were tipped on it's side, it would have a running length of 155cm and a depth front to back of 74.5cm. With a height of 80cm that would allow for two complete levels built in, and would give all kinds of space for wheels etc.. The CARA; 155 X 74 = 11470. 11470 X 2 = 22940. That is some good running space. The only question would be if you felt up to building an interior base floor and then a second complete level, in the tipped orientation. Is there a way to access the interior to do this and set it up?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2017 20:26:52 GMT
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 14, 2017 21:51:32 GMT
Completely! Sorry, I thought that was implied in my post, but it isn't I see. OOPS. Very sorry. The base and secondary levels would need to be built, most likely out of wood.
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Post by karolinabie177 on Sept 15, 2017 4:24:38 GMT
What about the aviary I found?
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 15, 2017 15:20:25 GMT
That's a little more difficult. The width of the cage, 85cm, is on the short side for what we recommend. While the height, 160cm, is tall and you could achieve four complete levels in there, which would technically allow for three degus in there (width 85 X depth 56 = surface area 4760 sq cm. Four complete levels of 4760 would give a total of 19040 sq cm), but the opportunity to have a really good run is not present. Still, you have a good amount of space in there. To give your degus good exercise options, you would need at least two wheel with a diameter of 30+ cm.
Laying it on it's side, is not really a good potential because of the built in stand. That would give excellent length for running, but the dimensions on it's side would really only allow for two good complete levels (17920 sq cm) . . . although . . . there are those that have found that their degus do enjoy an area where the "ceiling" isn't so high. So you could have two complete levels spaced 40"ish" cm apart, or you could do a 40 cm (good area for cage items that require height such as wheels) space and then two 22 cm levels. These three would give you a total of 26880 sq cm. BUT . . . would you want the legs sticking out on the one end? LOL!
Regardless of how you orient your potential cage, you need to DIY your levels, which means you need to have open access to the interior of the cage.
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 15, 2017 15:22:08 GMT
What is the spacing measurement between the bars in the aviary? You don't want to have more than a centimeter between bars really. Degus are master escapists.
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Post by karolinabie177 on Sept 15, 2017 16:06:58 GMT
I just got reply form the seller, the bar spacing is 2,5 cm. So it's no good. Earlier I saw this cage: bit.ly/2jvLW4jMeasurements: Lenght 100 Depth 40 Height 100 (without legs) I could definitively DIY some levels in this one
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 15, 2017 20:07:10 GMT
Unfortunately this one really is too small. It is two shallow in the depth, front to back, and IF you were able to build in three full levels above the base level (so four in total) you would be just over the bare minimum. That would mean really cramped quarters. The bones are good however. Perhaps you could take it over and build an extension on it, out the back, and therefore increase the depth?
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Post by karolinabie177 on Sept 16, 2017 5:32:01 GMT
This cage is handmade and the seller claims he can modify it to meet my requirements. About modifying it myself - my parents agreed with me having degus unless it doesn't require cage building, so I guess modifying it myself kinda counts 😳 The shelves are not a problem though Anyway, these are the measurements I made: First floor with higher walls around the shelf-45 cm, 29cm wheel will definitely fit, I measured my hamster's cage 😛 Next two levels - 40 cm And the last level - 35 cm Depth- 60 cm Lenght - 100 cm, and the height would be 160 cm!! With legs 175 cm that's bigger than me haha! So what do you think about this? Seller said he can also add full levels if I want and the cost would be 500zł in my country, so it would be about 140 USD Also the materials are: OSB plank and natural pine boards
Edit: im not sure about pine boards but I think I could change them to something else, also I think I'll leave it only with three levels four seem like it would be too high
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Post by Karma on Sept 16, 2017 14:34:46 GMT
Nice price!! I spent $400 CDN (little bit less in USD) on my double critter nation and I have two .... my three boys now have both cages to run in (used to have two pairs) so they are in a 6' x 3' x 5' cage. Lol. They LOVE the extra room to run - less fighting, more room for entrichment items and super happy degus.
You will be surprised at the active level and how they use every inch of the cage. Definitely go as big as possible, you won't be sorry. That is a nice home made cage! Wish I could have found something like that!
As long as the pine is kiln dried (most are when used for cages), it is a perfect product to use ... the degus will chew it down and it will be to be replaced every couple years but it is great and safe for them.
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Post by karolinabie177 on Sept 16, 2017 15:15:56 GMT
I actually thought about critter nation but when I saw the price I fell off my chair haha! We have so much space in one unused office in my house, so it's going to be the ultimate degu room now with cage and big playpen, and storage for their food. I made a 3D model of the cage so the guy will know what I want 😂😂
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Post by moletteuk on Sept 16, 2017 17:44:41 GMT
Some degus will chew at the slight unevenness of OSB, it would be best to sand it really smooth or use plywood (also sanded) instead.
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