Cage Questions

[jaseyrae]

Hi guys!
First time posting, so sorry if I haven't done this right haha.

I have 4 degus, 2 cages, 2 in each. The cages I currently have are the Metal Aventura ones. Both sets of degus do not get on but I am looking at just getting one cage and separating the top and bottom, making sure both will still have enough space (they also get a whole room to run around in for outside cage time). 

I was looking and really like the Savic Suite Royal XL as I feel like that would still give them a lot of space, it has double doors and the guards around the cage but the trays are plastic and my degus will definitely chew through them! 

I was wondering if any one knew if it's possible to get metal trays for this cage or if you have any suggestions for another cage?

Thanks in advance!  

[savvy]

Welcome to the forum. Your post is in the right section so don't worry.

Can you please tell us why you're looking at just one cage? Is it a question of space?

Changes cages and reducing space can upset the hierarchy of each group as it will become a much smaller territory to lay claim to. It is possible to join two adventura cages together, side by side, so that each group can have a double length run with one group in the top level and one in the bottom. Extra levels and extensions can be added to give them more room. The adventura is a great cage to adapt.

I'm not overly familiar with the Savic cages, but I'm sure someone on here will be.

[ntg]

With the savic royal xl you'd be looking at modding the cage so that there was at least an extra level (giving a CARA of 15,000 cm^2 but preferably a 1.5 levels (CARA ~18000 cm^2) in each section which means it's possible but it might feel a little cramped as each section is only 70cm high.

If you can I'd keep the aventuras like savvycat suggested as the SRS XL also needs work doing to it to replace the plastic trays it comes with.

[jaseyrae]

Thank you so much for the replies!

Yes, it was mostly a space issue but I did worry about them feeling cramped after having all the space they have now. I'll keep them in two separate cages

Though while I do like the Aventuras, my only issue with it is the one sided door, making it awkward to get full access to the cage. So I was looking at getting them new cages anyway but with double door openings. Something like the Rat & Ferret Cage by PetPlanet or the Liberta Explorer. I have seen many mixed reviews so was wondering if anyone here has had any experiences with those cages or have any other recommendations?

[ntg]

I have the liberta explorer for my degus and I 100% prefer it over the aventura (my chin cage). There're only a couple of negatives with it, the first being that the half shelves don't have edges so substrate falls off (but that is easily fixed with some wood, screws, and washers if it bothers you that much). The second is that the vertical bars mean that wheels and shelves etc can only really be placed at certain heights, so my wheels are about 10cm from the floor. Other than that, the doors are a lifesaver for cleaning - figured out today that it's the fact that it's the right door that opens on the aventura which isn't really ideal for right-handed people - the full trays are deeper so there's a little less mess that get's chucked out. Both are equally as sturdy as each other.

When I looked at the reviews on the pet planet cage it looked like it would be worth a shot for the lower price though.

[randomname]

Hi
I've got the petplanet cage & 2 Aventuras & have had a Liberta in the past
It's exactly like ntg described - the shelves are annoying cos they don't have an edge but aside from that it's great. One of the other main differences is that the Liberta/Pet planet one has no bars underneath the base trays so you've got to plan for that when you're cleaning them out. The Aventura has bars which would stop a chin escaping, but probably not a degu, so it's kinda a moot point anyway.

Also, it depends if you're moving the cage about. The Aventura is way more sturdy & the wheels are ace, the Liberta/pet planet ones have rubbish wheels so it's a lot harder to move about. The Aventura weighs more than the others & is more stable/easy to move.

I don't think there's any difference between the Liberta or Pet planet one, they're both made by Rainforest iirc.

[Christine]

Hi
I've got the Savic Royal Suite XL and I love it. The double doors give great access. As you mentioned the shelves are plastic and I replaced these with wooden ones. I also replaced the 2 floors with wood. I have also added a complete new level in the top half and a 3/4 level in the bottom half. Both halves still fit a 30cm wheel. I intended the cage for three girl, but one of the new girls I got as company for my adult when her sister died turned out to be pregnant. I have for 7 weeks had mum and 6 babies in one half and 2 girls in the other. i decided to keep the girl babies and now have 6 girl who are now together for the first time today.

I'll just go and take a couple of pictures for you.

[Christine]

Top level  imgur.com/qCwsSdG 
Lower level imgur.com/cu7GXi5 
Whole cage imgur.com/AaZX91k 

[bouncy]

Excellent!

Loads of space for them, especially with the extra levels you've put in! I bet they're loving it! Has anyone gotten lost yet?

[Christine]

Just went to check on them and it is amazing when you first look in the cage you think "Where is everybody?" Then slowly they all appear one by one from different corners of the cage!

[bouncy]

Lol!

After a while, you'll know instinctively where to find them at different times of the day

[moletteuk]

The XL looks great I think those extra 20cm or so make a significant difference.