Degu sleeping quarters

[allan]

should I place my degu sleeping quarter high or low in the cage it’s about mid way at the moment and they seem happy but I have seen some others and they tend to be up high or down at the bottom of the cage

[misscatafer]

Mine personally like to be as high up as possible so they have a good view of their surroundings and feel safe. I usually provide a few different nest options when I do a cage clean, then scatter kitchen roll and tissue around the cage for them to sort out and create their nest. They always choose the highest location I find.

[randomname]

I'd second having a couple of bed areas in various locations, my rule of thumb is one each per animal & 1 extra - that way there's somewhere to go if they fall out, or if they're hiding. I've found most animals nest wherever you put their hideaways, but degus & rabbits will always select their preferred area & there's not much you can do about that, just move their hideaway to where ever they set up shop. Awkward beasts!

Mine usually go for high up ones too, especially at night, but they do use the lower level ones during the day.

[allan]

Thanks I will do that I did notice one doesn’t like sleeping with the others so I’ll put extra bedding and beds in there

[moletteuk]

I agree about giving them some choice. Mine always preferred a low headroom space, so do try making that available if you can.

[bouncy]

My degu enclosure goes from the ground to head height. Their location of their bed is up to them. I've previously put areas like hammocks in for them to sleep in, but they've virtually always ignored it and gone to their own places. They’re not easily herded!

[claire]

Mine had a nest box on the third shelf. I made a digging pit at the bottom.gor them. The nest promptly got emptied into the digging pit at they have slept there ever since lol

[winic1]

Mine have sleeping places on several levels. They seem to change where they prefer anywhere from every few weeks to several months. Definitely change positions with changes in the seasons and weather as well. Best to give them options and let them decide what they feel like at the time.