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Post by bbakergal98 on Dec 30, 2017 21:15:19 GMT
We have two degus called Gnasher and Houdini who, when we first brought them home, fought seriously and Houdini grazed his nose. I asked the shop that sold me the cage if it was actually suitable for the two brothers. The pet shop assured me at the time that the two-tier cage with a total surface area of 4,000sq. cm was enough space for 2 degus, Houdini's nose healed and there was peace in the degu's world (save for the occasional humping).
It's a few months since then and the degus fought until half their faces were scratched up. I took both to the vets the same day and was told to give them antibiotics in their water and keep them separated for a while. It's been a few days and I've had them in two cages looking at each other. I have swapped their beddings over to share the other degus scent with them as well.
After reading the posts on this forum I went and got a four their 17,500sq. cm cage so that I'm sure that it's big enough. My dilemma is this: I want to give them more space and move them into the bigger cage, but when I tried reintroducing them they fought seriously and I threw a towel over them to split them up. No blood spilt this time thank God. So if I moved them I would have to partition it off by blocking off two floors for them each. However, they can't see each other like that and I worry that they won't reconcile and will become lonely.
One of the degus, Gnasher, is in a cage that is an old hampster cage and is significantly smaller at only 1,500sq. cm so really not appropriate for him to be living in full time. I also only have the one metal wheel and as Gnasher has already shredded the tiny plastic hampster one, I worry about him getting enough exercise.
Unfortunately, I have no way of connecting the larger cage with either of the smaller cages. I also did not want to place only Gnasher in the new cage for fear that he'd put his scent everywhere and then adding Houdini might feel like the other degu is trespassing on his territory.
Please, could you help walk me through how I should move them, separate them and reintroduce them in these circumstances?
Thank you kindly for your help and advice!
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Post by bouncy on Dec 31, 2017 0:33:41 GMT
I'm sorry you've had such a rough time so far, but I'm glad you stuck with them and are keen to learn more about their care! There's a few things against you here. First thing is your cage. Pet stores often sell cages that don't even meet the RSPCA minimum requirements. Pets@home are known for this. The problem is that they are very territorial creatures and, whilst they need to live with other goos, they don't cope well with having someone in their face all the time. It's great you have a new cage. Can I ask which one you bought in the end? I ask because some still don't provide enough length to let them get up to full running speed. The good thing is that it's easy peasy to add more full levels  The other thing against you is that your boys are going through the traditional mating season, where they compete for a mate. There being no females around doesn't mean anything! Add to this that your boys are likely in their adolescent age with hormones all over the place, and it's like trying to put Mike Tyson and one of the Klitschko brothers in the ring and asking them to play nicely. I will reassure you, though. Whilst reintroducing at the moment may be problematic, we can move this forward. Depending on the layout of the new cage, I would create some sort of divider, somewhere across a level so they can see each other face to face. Be creative with something like wire and a cooling rack from the pound shop! Anything they can't chew through. Some make a wooden "window frame", then put mesh on both sides, creating a gap of 1-2cm of no man's land. This helps to avoid nipped/amputated toes. This divider means that you can get them both into the new cage. They can get used to the new space, and relieves your stress. It also makes it easier to reintroduce. See how they go for a couple of weeks like this. If the level of hostility is the same, you may need to keep them like this until spring. If they start to calm down, then consider the next step. As pet shops (and some vets) can be a bit useless, are you absolutely positive that your goos are both the same sex? |
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Post by bbakergal98 on Dec 31, 2017 8:51:04 GMT
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Post by bouncy on Dec 31, 2017 10:55:53 GMT
Good choice on the cage! If you are thinking about modifications, we've got a great thread in the cages section of changes that members have already made - may spark some ideas! Regarding reintroduction, wait until you have them both in the big cage and they can see each other face to face. Your next step will be based on their behaviour towards each other. If they continue to try killing each other at the partition, then definitely wait. Don't stop swapping substrate, tho! You want to see either total indifference, or happy warbling, with both nest building next to the partition. When you get to this, try a couple of face to face meets in somewhere neutral like the bathtub. Start with very brief (couple of minutes tops) and, if all goes well, gradually increase the time. It may mean you sometimes part them before any aggression. Have a towel, plant water spray etc standing by. Just remember that goos do need a certain amount of squabbling to establish who the boss is, and that separating too soon could mean unresolved issues or grudges (and boy can they hold one!). It's hard for humans to watch, and there may be some small injuries. Mounting, sniffing, boxing, or kung-fu fighting is perfectly normal. It's when they go for the FBOD (furball of death) that you need to get in there quickly. I've got two groups, both have moments of upset, with torn ears, missing toes, bites, but they've been fine. The bleeding flushes the wound (although a dip in cornflour helps clotting), and the goos clean themselves up again much better than we possibly could. For the Sex, both have a cone (sticking out bit) and bum hole. The secret is in the space between the two. If there's no gap, they're a girl. If there is a small gap, they're boys! Degus are a law unto themselves, and they surprise all of us each day. Their high intelligence means they're also crafty buggers. If you have any questions, no matter how stupid you think it is, just ask! |
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Post by bbakergal98 on Dec 31, 2017 11:08:32 GMT
At the moment one is chewing the bars between the two cages and the other is completely ignoring him.
Question: Do degus like hammocks or will they just pee on it?
Question: I'm worried about the bottom of the new cage being so close to the floor as we have a Jack Russel who for the most part ignores the goos but if they squeak loudly she tends to whine and try to jump up. I'm worried she will scare them if they are on the ground floor. What can I do about this?
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Post by bouncy on Dec 31, 2017 11:25:43 GMT
Degus are fickle things. Mine sometimes like hammocks, and other times completely ignore them. They may also totally ignore something for weeks, then suddenly act like it's the best thing ever. Just make sure that it's made from something like fleece, which doesn't fray. We've had members whose goos have been found with tourniquets around limbs when they've become tangled in loose threads.
Tbh I think your jack russell will scare them. To help them settle, transfer some of the old substrate into the new cage, and perhaps consider making a small pen around the bottom of the cage that will keep your dog at bay. It may, of course, help your dog, too. He may end up with a nip on his nose!
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Post by deguconvert on Dec 31, 2017 20:29:10 GMT
Bouncy has answered you as thoroughly as I ever could, and better, so I've nothing to add. I do echo the encouragement to ask any and all questions, because there just isn't a question too weird or stupid with degus.
Will be following your progress! It is lovely to get to know you, Bbakergal98!
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