Questions about Aventura & Savic Cages & Other Things

[Rtho87]

I'm in the process of upgrading my degus' living area. I currently have a Blenheim Extra Tall Rat cage (79cm x 52cm), which I got back when I thought Degutopia was the most current and informative place on the Internet. I've never had any issues with the degus being in the Blenheim (maybe because they also get a lot of access to a degu friendly room?), but feel I should take the advice of experienced degu owners and provide them with more floor space to improve their quality of life. 

After seeing misscatafer's great photos, I was thinking about getting another Blenheim and combining them, which would bump the size up to 158cm x 52cm. At the moment, the existing cage is kept in a bedroom or the "office" during the day, then wheeled in the sitting room at night when there's space to accommodate them. We would have to keep a 158cm long cage in the office or bedroom, because it's impossible to wheel it down our awkward hallway. We'd all definitely miss the time we get with the degus in such a communal space like the sitting room.

This possibly rules a double Blenheim out of the cage options, but I'm hopeful that we could wheel a Savic Suite Royal XL (115cm x 67.5cm) from room to room (after it scrapes the hallway walls up a bit ). I need to experiment with a model of the dimensions before committing to the idea. Do any Savic owners know if the spray protectors (if that's the right word?) on both the Savic Suite Royal XL and shorter 95 are made out of plastic or metal (I’m aware that the trays are plastic)? I'm thinking/hoping they’re metal judging by the pictures in the assembly PDFs.



If I went with a Savic Royal Suite 95 or Aventura instead, do you think it's possible/has anybody ever expanded the size of the cage by buying two Savics or Aventuras, then taking a tier from one of the cages and adding it to an existing cage to make it three storeys (admittedly, it would be more effective to combine them horizontally like misscatafer did with the Blenheims)? Here's an example of what I mean: www.gumtree.com/p/pet-equipment-accessories/huge-rat-chinchilla-degu-cage-/1303082335 Not sure what model that cage is though! I'm just considering this as a future option, because if I got one of these cages, I would add extra full length metal or wooden shelves first.

Lastly, has anybody ever bought items from this site? www.minipetz.co.uk/

Thank you for your help. Sorry if I’m asking questions that have already been asked around the forum!

[misscatafer]

Hello! (I know we have already had a chat about my cage). I haven't seen any cages taken apart the way you describe, only side by side creations. Actually there was a member on here who put two Aventuras on top of each other... But I don't know if she kept it like that, it was basically floor to ceiling and I can imagine the top shelves would been very difficult to reach and clean. The savic royale is similiar to this cage which looks amazing : youtu.be/6_EbJz4CgPE
Getting a savic or Aventura would be a good plan for now while you need to move it daily until you are in a position to keep it somewhere permanent and expand it if you still wanted to. Plus these cages are big enough that you can still get creative with extra shelves, tubes and hanging stuff etc to really maximise space. Looking forward to seeing what you choose to do!

[randomname]

One thing I can add is if you're wheeling them about DO NOT get the Liberta (looks like the Aventura but a bit cheaper) I have both Aventuras & a Liberta & the wheels are totally different - the Aventura's move easily but the Liberta is a nightmare. I only move them to clean behind them though, not sure I'd want to wheel them about as they're pretty heavy & awkward. Recommend foam bumpers to save your walls!

[bouncy]

Also, keep an eye on your goos. I personally never had a problem moving my Liberta...............until Sillygoo chewed the wheels!

The only "expandable" cage I've come across is the Critter Nation?

[deguconvert]

Jul 3, 2018 15:36:15 GMT misscatafer said:

Hello! (I know we have already had a chat about my cage). I haven't seen any cages taken apart the way you describe, only side by side creations. Actually there was a member on here who put two Aventuras on top of each other... But I don't know if she kept it like that, it was basically floor to ceiling and I can imagine the top shelves would been very difficult to reach and clean. The savic royale is similiar to this cage which looks amazing : youtu.be/6_EbJz4CgPE
Getting a savic or Aventura would be a good plan for now while you need to move it daily until you are in a position to keep it somewhere permanent and expand it if you still wanted to. Plus these cages are big enough that you can still get creative with extra shelves, tubes and hanging stuff etc to really maximise space. Looking forward to seeing what you choose to do!

Did you listen to the whole video? I've not been listening well, I confess, as I've been working through the recent posts while it plays in the background. Did you hear the "degus are more like fluffy fish?" description? I totally ROFLed!! However, it is used to indicate that degus don't really welcome cuddles, and I think it is effective. It's just not what I would have thought up. I might have to adopt it, though!

[misscatafer]

Haha! Yes I've watched it, really like all the space in the cage... Think she has about 6 in there! I really like that description of them too, so true!

[Rtho87]

I haven't been able to listen to the audio in the video yet, but that is a wonderful looking cage! I agree that degus are like "fluffy fish".

Thanks for the tip about the Liberta's wheels!

I googled the Critter Nation, and you're right! It's also the one featured in the video misscatafer linked to. It's also called the Ferret Nation cage? You get the cage with two tiers: www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=14485&pf_id=66329&ptm_source=google&ptm_medium=shopping&ptm_campaign=over50_66329&campaign=324014531&adgroup=24641966051&keyword=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk7bj9PqD3AIVwvZRCh2WvAoTEAkYASABEgKGovD_BwE

Then you can choose to get the add-on: www.petplanet.co.uk/product.asp?dept_id=456&pf_id=70272

Looks great altogether: www.petstreetmall.com/Ferret-Nation/5156/2152/ I'm definitely adding this near the top of the list of options. Might be cool to get the two tier cage initially, make it suitable for the degus with extra levels, etc, then further down the line surprise them by getting the add on, or another cage to join them horizontally if moving the cage no longer becomes necessary in the future.

I found a triple Savic Suite on this site: www.isamurats.co.uk/rat-care-at-isamu.html Wonder if they'll reply if I contact them about how they did it.

[deguconvert]

It would be cool if they did!

[randomname]

The ferret nation & critter nation are the same except for 1 thing - the bar spacing. I can't remember which is which, but one is too wide barred for rats (so degus too) & one is fine. I know chinchilla communities recommended either, but the rat communities only recommend one as the other allows them to escape.

[moletteuk]

I assumed the splash guards on the Savic cages were part of the shelves and all made of plastic, but I haven't seen one in person. Might be best to email Savic or a shop selling them to get a definitive answer.

I think you are going to struggle to move a fully kitted out cage of that size. Especially if you extend the half shelves, or swap the plastic for wood, or add another layer in. It is possible to sneak an extra full level into those cages like in this thread deguworld.proboards.com/search/results?captcha_id=captcha_search&who_at_least_one=4631&what_at_least_one=cage&where_thread_title=show+us+your+cage&display_as=0&search=Search or you can add a basement extension, see this thread for links deguworld.proboards.com/thread/18717/choosing-improving-metal-cage

Could there be a different solution? Have you thought about a secure playpen in the sitting rooom for the evenings? Maybe even with a small cage of some kind attached so they have some feeling of security? We have some playpen making links in this thread deguworld.proboards.com/thread/18716/accessories-make-buy they are all designed to fold away when not in use. I was just thinking it would be a neater solution if you could move the degus but not the large cage.

[Rtho87]

I got a great reply from Isamu Rats regarding their triple Savic cage. I asked if I could share their response with you in case this type of extension appeals to anybody else:

I do love my triple, though I’ve now upgraded to a triple little zoo venturer (slightly bigger cage, same principle). Essentially you ned to buy a second cage, as they don’t sell single units (critter nation do), however if you keep your eyes peeled you can often find one second hand reasonably. You can then sell the other half to someone wanting to do similar.



Once you’ve got the cage then it’s a case of deciding if you want it to be a separate cage (like mine) or opening it out. I wouldn’t have a triple fully open without a lot of catch hammocks or ideally a couple half floors. You can use the shelf with hole in it though. Then you swap that for the roof panel on the bottom cage (or leave if it’s to be a separate cage). Then assemble the top half and put on top. I then used thick garden wire and a pair of pliers, looped around both cage frames at least at each corner to fasten it tightly in place. Other people I know have used cable ties (bear in mind rats can chew these unless they are the metal ones). Do it right and its secure enough you can wheel the cage around triple storey. Just make sure you measure to your ceiling to make sure the extra section fits before you fit it (not so bad for a triple SRS, the Venturer is a lot taller though so only just fits in my rat room lol).

They drew my attention to the "Little Zoo Venturer", which they said in a later message is in all metal cage, including the trays (!), and there's an option of getting an add-on storey.

The venturer is better than the SRS having had both. Metal trays (so chew proof) and you can lift them in and out so divides easily. The trays are a little shallow but otherwise great.

 
It looks like it's difficult to get hold of it at the moment. I could only find it here:

www.worldstores.co.uk/p/Little_Zoo_Venturer_Small_Animal_Cage.htm
www.worldstores.co.uk/p/Little_Zoo_Venturer_Small_Animal_Cage_-_Upper_Section.htm
www.elmpets.co.uk/little-zoo-venturer-cage-p-11124.html

Thanks for the information, randomname. I had a look, and it seems like the Ferret Nation is the unsuitable one. I guess the clue is in the name. XD

Great suggestions, moletteuk. If the new cage is too awkward to move around, we were thinking about putting the degus back in the Blenheim during the evenings and wheeling them out that way, but wondered whether it would upset them if they lost their bigger space, even if temporary? Providing them with a playpen as well sounds like it could resolve any potential issues with this. It would be a bit of an elaborate arrangement, but I wouldn't mind it at all. In this situation, I think my cage of choice would be the Savic Suite Royal XL for all the floor space it provides.

[winic1]

The Ferret Nation has 1 inch, or 25mm, bar spacing. Way too big for degus. You definitely would want a Critter Nation, which has 1/2 inch, or 12mm, bar spacing. The Critter Nation costs more than the Ferret Nation because it has twice the number of bars for its size.

[Rtho87]

Thanks for the information!

I held off buying the cage in case Annie needed costly treatment at the vet's, but now she's passed I can focus on putting money into improving Alex and Daisy's environment. I'm definitely going to get the Savic Suite Royal XL, then work on adding floors like this person did on the zooplus website:



That would give it a CARA of 31,050, which would be enough for 5 degus at the most. I'm wanting to adopt 1 or 2 more female degus, because I don't want to be in a situation where Daisy or Alex pass away unexpectedly, and one is left on their own. That would make the loss even worse, worrying about them being lonely.

[bouncy]

An excellent choice!

[Christine]

I have recently bought the Savic Suite Royal XL and am really happy with it. The spray guards are metal. After one month I noticed the first sign of shelves being eaten yesterday. I was prepared for this and have replaced them with wooden shelves. Otherwise my 3 girls love it and the arge doors make cleaning easier.

[Rtho87]

Thanks for the information, Christine! I was planning to do the same as you regarding the plastic shelves; keep an eye on them and replace them as soon as they start getting chewed. I've still got plastic shelves in my current cage, which the degus don't touch. I lay plain cardboard over them and that seems to stop the degus? They prefer to tear pieces off the cardboard and put it in their bed, making it look awful, like a rubbish tip. The cardboard gets soiled in certain places around their cage, so I replace these throughout the week. The degus have hay or substrate covering the cardboard to make it look a bit more natural.

Did you make the wooden shelves yourself? Do you think you'll add some extra levels/or have you done so already?

I've ordered the new cage, and am hoping it'll arrive tomorrow.

[misscatafer]

I had plastic shelving in my cage, I put up with it for 11 months before replacing it. It did get chewed, especially when they wanted our attention! But for us our main reason for needing to replace it was security reasons (lol). We had two sets living in the same cage and unfortunately we had a terrible incident where they chewed through the shelving to each other. I had to cover every plastic surface with glass chopping boards. They WILL chew the shelves eventually, it is just a case of when. So it is a good idea to beginning planning a more permanent solution. If you want some inspiration from my experience, have a a look through my modification thread : deguworld.proboards.com/thread/21996/project-perspex

Edit! Just read the rest of this thread and see we have already had a conversation about my cage haha! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with

[Christine]

I managed to get a large piece of wood from a local builders and it was enough to do both the floors and all the shelves. I had originally planned to put more shelves but haven't done it yet. I have put long pieces of wood from one shelf to the other so they have a circuit and with all the hammocks and bits and pieces I think it is full enough. Our girls also have free run of the room for an hour or so every evening. I love the cage and they seem to too.