Beans
Newborn Degu
Posts: 6 
|
Post by Beans on Nov 27, 2017 20:21:08 GMT
Hello!  I am a new degu owner and I'm hoping you guys will be able to give me some advice on whether my degu will be happy on his own or if I should get him some friends. I rescued a degu from the SSPCA. He'd been at the shelter for a while and I just couldn't resist his little face! He's called Deacon, is male and they think he is around 3/4 years old. They think that his cage mate died around 1 year before he was rescued. Aside from that they didn't have a lot of information about his previous owners or life. I've never had degus before, so quickly read absolutely everything I could find on looking after them. I've built him a cage and made him lots of toys, and his behaviour has improved so much in the months I've had him! He's exhibiting a lot more natural behaviours, and seems to quite enjoy it when I spend time with him in his playpen. He has also become good friends with my guinea pig - who was a little lonely as we sadly lost his brother last year. Obviously they don't live together, but their cages are next to each other and they have supervised play time together. I want to make sure that Deacon has a happy little life, so I am in a pickle over whether to leave him living by himself. I know that they are incredibly social animals and prefer living in groups, however Deacon has been living by himself for at least 2 years. And I don't know how he got on with other degues before that. I don't want to cause him unnecessary stress by introducing new degus if he has become used to bachelor life. But at the same time, my guinea pig is quite old with increasing health problems  , and I am increasingly concerned that Deacon may miss the interaction when Walter Murphy (guinea pig) passes away. So I don't know if it is worth the risk of trying to introduce him to more degu friends? Sorry about that essay of an explanation! But I'm wondering what everyone thinks would be best for him. Should I leave him lead a bachelor life, or try to introduce degu friends? Thank you! |
|
|
|
Post by ntg on Nov 27, 2017 21:13:34 GMT
Hi Beans! Nice to see somebody else living in Scotland on here We're big advocaters for degus in groups on here - it's a very rare degu that is happier without others! Of course, intros are rarely easy or straightforward so it's not a task to be taken lightly. Injuries are likely to occur and you will be amazed at just how stubborn these little blighters can be. But seeing degus together makes it all worth it in the end! By the sounds of things Deacon is a very well loved little man. Do you know how old he is? And where abouts in Scotland are you? As it might help us to help you a bit more if it comes to locating a new friend or two for Deacon! |
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on Nov 28, 2017 0:45:57 GMT
And where abouts in Scotland are you? As it might help us to help you a bit more if it comes to locating a new friend or two for Deacon! It's true that goos looking for homes gravitate towards ntg! Welcome, and well done for doing such a fab job with Deacon. There really is a massive change in behaviour when a degu gets friends (Blue a possible name?). Some hooman slaves misinterpret the behaviour. When a goo is alone, the hooman becomes a surrogate goo. Whilst it's very rewarding to have your goo cuddle with you, groom you, and let you tickle his armpits, there is still a massive piece of degu behaviour missing that a human can't help with. If you are willing to take on some buds for Deacon, have a good read through our fighting and introductions section to prepare yourself! |
|
|
|
Post by ntg on Nov 28, 2017 0:53:23 GMT
And where abouts in Scotland are you? As it might help us to help you a bit more if it comes to locating a new friend or two for Deacon! It's true that goos looking for homes gravitate towards ntg! Just wait until I've written up next year, there'll probably be an influx of degus (and other animals) coming my way  |
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Nov 28, 2017 18:09:21 GMT
I definitely support getting him a friend or two. I would suggest that it would be better to get degus closer to his age, as he is old enough to find pups a lot to keep up to . . . though he is still young enough to hold his own as well. With pups, you would be facing the trials and tribulations that come with them going through adolescence and into young adulthood. That is a potential year long time frame (ages 6 - 18 months) and can be fraught with fighting, injuries and extra cages for the purpose of introductions. You will need an extra cage for any introductions, in any case, but it can increase depending on how many you have and how many you want all in a group.
Do you know for certain that Deacon is male? Have you ever caught him . . . taking care of his bits?
|
|
Beans
Newborn Degu
Posts: 6
|
Post by Beans on Dec 1, 2017 10:28:11 GMT
Do you know how old he is? And where abouts in Scotland are you? As it might help us to help you a bit more if it comes to locating a new friend or two for Deacon! Hello! Thank you so much for the advice everyone. I'll definitely try to find him a little friend (most probably called Blue). Deacon is around 3 or 4 and I am in Dundee. Any help finding him a degu pal would be greatly appreciated! |
|
Beans
Newborn Degu
Posts: 6
|
Post by Beans on Dec 1, 2017 10:30:22 GMT
Do you know for certain that Deacon is male? Have you ever caught him . . . taking care of his bits? Haha! Yes I am certain he is male. I have unfortunately caught him taking care of his bits a couple of times. He likes to wait until I have guests over and tend to himself in full view of everyone. Such a considerate little goo. |
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Dec 1, 2017 15:35:55 GMT
LOL! Take heart, we have actually had a few conversations on here about that very thing. Seems to be a common belief among male degus that public displays of their meticulous cleansing rituals and virility is good entertainment for guests.
|
|
|
|
Post by ntg on Dec 2, 2017 14:11:22 GMT
Do you know how old he is? And where abouts in Scotland are you? As it might help us to help you a bit more if it comes to locating a new friend or two for Deacon! Hello! Thank you so much for the advice everyone. I'll definitely try to find him a little friend (most probably called Blue). Deacon is around 3 or 4 and I am in Dundee. Any help finding him a degu pal would be greatly appreciated! Dundee isn't too far really, I'll keep my eyes peeled for anything that comes up. I know there were a pair in the Edinburgh SSPCA branch last week but that might be too far for you? Also if anything is advertised down this end or between here and Tyne & Wear I may be able to help with transport if needed (my family live there so I travel up and down quite often). Wouldn't be the first time I've transported goos or food for people  |
|
|
|
Post by ntg on Dec 3, 2017 18:41:26 GMT
Waiting to hear how old they are but this was reposted on the degu rehoming board on Facebook although Ayrshire may be too far?  Edit: They're just over 1 year old which may be problematic as they're innthe middle of their adolescent phase. But on the distance issues, the lady has relatives in Dundee so transport may be able to be figured out if you're interested. |
|
|
|
Post by ntg on Dec 4, 2017 18:17:10 GMT
One available that I'm very tempted by myself in Corstorphine, Edinburgh in the P@H adoption centre, 4-4.5 years old single male (although a double-check of sex would be in order). I really need to stop looking at rehoming pages |
|
Beans
Newborn Degu
Posts: 6
|
Post by Beans on Dec 7, 2017 18:19:17 GMT
Thanks guys! I think I'd need to look for a single male... the little gentlement in the Corstorphine P&H adoption centre sounds perfect (but I'll obviously not steal him from you ntg!). I unfortunately don't think Deacons house would be big enough for 3 degus just now. Although I could always see if I could extend it... but that wouldn't happen for a while as I've just moved house and have a lot of decorating and unpacking to do!
Is it relatively common for degus to be available on their own or do they tend to come in pairs?
|
|
|
|
Post by winic1 on Dec 7, 2017 18:28:01 GMT
If the pair comes with their cage, maybe ask for a full picture of it or the model/name, and see if you could join it with your cage once introductions are done? That way you get a big-enough cage, you have two separate cages during the introduction period (even if you join them with just a secure divider first), and the additional cost will be minimal, just the cost of whatever you need to secure them together, which might not be anything more than some wire?
A degu cage doesn't have to be a single, big, rectangle. If you look in the early pages of "Show us your cages" there were all kinds of put-together creations that provided lots of room and lots of variation for the little guys.
|
|
|
|
Post by ntg on Dec 7, 2017 21:43:11 GMT
Thanks guys! I think I'd need to look for a single male... the little gentlement in the Corstorphine P&H adoption centre sounds perfect (but I'll obviously not steal him from you ntg!). I unfortunately don't think Deacons house would be big enough for 3 degus just now. Although I could always see if I could extend it... but that wouldn't happen for a while as I've just moved house and have a lot of decorating and unpacking to do! Is it relatively common for degus to be available on their own or do they tend to come in pairs? Please do steal him from me if he's still available - I have space but I don't have the time nor the energy for three separate playtimes at the moment! |
|
|
|
Post by ntg on Dec 7, 2017 21:47:36 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by ntg on Dec 7, 2017 21:50:55 GMT
As for availability, it really depends! Pets at home have a lot of singles for rehoming as they have one tiff with their cagemates and they're suddenly "violent with other degus, need to be kept alone". Yet there have been plenty of happy endings for these violent goos where they're paired up with others! Generally, unless a death has occurred or a really bad bust-up has happened they'll come in a group though. |
|
Beans
Newborn Degu
Posts: 6
|
Post by Beans on Jan 31, 2018 17:50:19 GMT
Hello everyone. Just a quick update that I have acquired a new little friend! He is a single, older gentleman called Floyd who needed a new home, and we have high hopes that he and Deacon shall become the best of buds! I am now going to read absolutely everything on here about introductions. Fingers crossed! Thanks for all the advice.
|
|
|
|
Post by misscatafer on Jan 31, 2018 18:34:15 GMT
Brilliant news! So pleased you have got him some company |
|
|
|
Post by bouncy on Jan 31, 2018 20:07:04 GMT
Excellent news! I hope Deacon and Floyd hit it off. Do you have an aversion for colours by leaving them out of the names? We need photos! |
|
Beans
Newborn Degu
Posts: 6
|
Post by Beans on Feb 15, 2018 21:52:34 GMT
Excellent news! I hope Deacon and Floyd hit it off. Do you have an aversion for colours by leaving them out of the names? We need photos! Honestly bouncy I got so super excited when they said his name was Floyd. It was meant to be! I'll get some pics to show hopefully when they meet. We're taking it super slow so we'll see. |
|
, and I am increasingly concerned that Deacon may miss the interaction when Walter Murphy (guinea pig) passes away. So I don't know if it is worth the risk of trying to introduce him to more degu friends?
