ktz
Newborn Degu
Posts: 20
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Post by ktz on Apr 21, 2019 12:13:29 GMT
Hello everyone! Finally decided to register after browsing this forum for info! So about me - I'm kinda new/med exp to this all degu things but I did my best so my pups would be happy and live in fine conditions. These are my first degus... wanted them for so long and finally got them... kinda a year together now and all seems fine! Bouth are females around year old - very active, healthy, friendly and sometimes funny. At first we had cage from store with plastic bottom and metal cage around it - some basic stuff. Size was enough but it just wasn't the thing... wanted something more - something bigger, better and more lighter. So I made this... (I'm not carpenter or don't work any work related to wood - all this was made from home depo and some basic tools) In pics it looks kinda smaller than in real life!
This new home is made from safe woods some places are chew-proof cuz they destroy things in like hours sometimes. They have many another things enough to chew. Every single detail has been tested twice - to be safe, escape proof and they couldn't hurt themselves. Size is kinda big - cage module is 60cm high X 60cm wide X 120 long - I think it's enough for two pups there Have huge closet for goodies and stuff under it.
Assambled with furniture bolts (no glue or toxic stuff), floor is waterproof and covered with kiln dried wood fibre, some alloy edges to make some parts chew-proof. Cage has ambient light that wont hurt their eyes, can't be reached and shock proof. Will upgrade running wheel - will be made from wood un chew-proof And yeah... they love those pipes.... This is new basic arrangement - there will be more stuff for them to play with but lets keep in mind that so it wont get overfilled... Some more pics:
Questions & suggestions are warm welcome!
Cheers!
EDIT: AFTER CAGE UPGRADE
EVEN MORE cage update (finally updating topic);
Added 3rd floor! Now 18400sq cm cage!
And one more small upgrade...
More tubes (3rd floor) update:
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 21, 2019 17:39:29 GMT
Hello Ktz, and welcome to the forum!! Wow! That is beautifully made! Love the features you have in there, and the visibility! All very nicely and well done! A comment that might not be as welcome, is that the size is considerably under what we recommend for two degus. (Our cage size recommendations are found here . . . deguworld.proboards.com/thread/9396/forums-cage-size-recommendations ) However . . . it isn't two hard to remedy. With the excellent height that you have in there, you could easily add in an additional level. If you made it such that it would follow the outline, or rest immediately below the bottom of your excellent tubing feature (making a cut out for the wheel to be accommodated just as you have with the tubes), making it the full 60 cm deep, and the full 120 length, you will have increased the amount of surface area for them to access. Giving them 7200 sq cm of running room on the base level, and then very nearly that amount again with the additional proposed level, which brings you nicely into the recommended sizes for two degus. Yes, there would be the interruption of an access opening, but that is negligible, and if you build in a ramp for them to access the second level, say resting on the back wall, then you have a feature they will enjoy running up and down on. Is that something that might appeal to you? I know it will interfere with the lovely open concept you have right now, but cage size is a significant factor in overall health, good relationships between cage mates, and well being of our degus. A habitat that is smaller can often increase/cause conflict between cage mates. Not absolutely every time with every degu group, but so common as to be well known and requiring changes in most cases.
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ktz
Newborn Degu
Posts: 20
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Post by ktz on Apr 21, 2019 18:04:24 GMT
Thanks, deguconvert for info! When I made the cage as guide I used "degutopia" page's cm3 calculator for the size. Anyways I will probably add another level top of this current cage module 30cm high X60 X120 and will transform that shelf above tubing to get more space. This current build is only in "beta stage" - made like few weeks ago and will do futher work on it.
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Post by savvy on Apr 21, 2019 18:06:36 GMT
Welcome to the forum!
I love your cage, but as DC says, it will need more space. Extra levels, or even an extra tier will go a long way to preventing problems. The tier doesn't have to be deep, degus like low roof spaces, but it's the floor space which is important, rather than cage volume.
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 24, 2019 10:59:46 GMT
Hi ktz, nice to meet you and your degus Unfortunately, Degutopia is quite out of date on cage sizing. The cage looks so good and well made though, I'm sure you can alter or add on to make it perfect for them, the actual footprint of the cage is great. I bet you could fit in a large shelf where the small shelf is without too much trouble.
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ktz
Newborn Degu
Posts: 20
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Post by ktz on Apr 28, 2019 18:32:19 GMT
Hey! So after your suggestions I did a little upgrade to my degu house! I removed the small shelf thing and changed it with this level 50cm x 80cm - so quick math: before - 7200sq cm + now 4000sq cm = we have now 11200sq cm! Little gains there... BUT that's not all - after few weeks I'll be adding one more full 7200sq cm level above current cage module with height of 30cm! So then I'll be at 18400sq cm! This shelf was made not full - to keep that open & light concept for looks and light but still got some nice space added! Here are some pics: *btw some empty look cuz we still looking for things to add for them. Everything is still "beta" stage!
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Post by deguconvert on Apr 29, 2019 3:58:50 GMT
WONDERFUL!! That makes a huge difference in the cage. I see one of your little loves is already checking out the new height and the view, not to mention a little espionage to see if there is a potential escape route up there. You may want to keep an eye on things there, just to make sure they are not finding a means to chew a way out. Judging from the metal you have used in other areas of your cage, you are well able to reinforce those upper edges to keep them safe from sharp teeth and conniving degu minds!
I heartily approve what you have done, and look forward to the next new level you have planned!! What an awesome space you have put, and are putting, together!
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Post by moletteuk on Apr 29, 2019 16:01:27 GMT
That looks great If you can find the right size cardboard box and place it with the entrance facing to the right with a big opening in it, you might find they will enjoy nesting up there. My girls loved a fairly enclosed low headroom place to nest, so I think yours might too.
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ktz
Newborn Degu
Posts: 20
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Post by ktz on Dec 6, 2019 14:58:45 GMT
Updated topic with fresh pics! Reworking on 2nd floor that's why it is empty for now.
(light in pics looks extra bright but IRL it's dim and warm)
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Post by goolover on Dec 6, 2019 15:56:02 GMT
Hi ktz. Your girls are absolutely gorgeous You have done an excellent job so far, very clever that you have made it yourself, wish I had the ability to design and make something so good. We have all started off as new degu owners, my first 2 girls were in a one tier cage with the litttle wooden self that pets@home sold until we learnt it was not at all adequate so your 2 are off to a great start. A warm welcome to the forum and looking forward to getting to know you and your little ones x
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Post by yasmin on Dec 8, 2019 1:57:13 GMT
Very nice
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ktz
Newborn Degu
Posts: 20
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Post by ktz on Dec 14, 2019 16:52:39 GMT
Small update... Added some tubes and house @3rd floor...
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Post by deguconvert on Dec 14, 2019 20:46:57 GMT
Those look GREAT!! How is little miss "you shall not place bedding here" responding to the changes?
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Post by yasmin on Dec 15, 2019 2:03:39 GMT
Nice!
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ktz
Newborn Degu
Posts: 20
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Post by ktz on Dec 15, 2019 9:33:34 GMT
Those look GREAT!! How is little miss "you shall not place bedding here" responding to the changes?
Now she only clears the 1/3 part on left side. Currently working on some kind of 'stairs' to get from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd level.
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Post by deguconvert on Dec 15, 2019 19:14:23 GMT
You must have at least partial approval from her then! You're clearly on the right path. You can be sure she is patting herself on the back for giving you the directions!
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Post by moletteuk on Dec 16, 2019 17:46:01 GMT
That is encouraging. Sometimes they keep the floor clear if they want to be able to get the best grip for a quick getaway if they feel a bit insecure about the location AND/OR the ease of the route on/off.
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Post by misscatafer on Dec 20, 2019 22:48:54 GMT
Looks great! Love the tubes. A few years ago we added foil extractor tubes to our cage just as you did and the degus loved them! It added basically a whole extra level for them to run through. Unfortunately they just got chewed, resulting in razor sharp edges and fragments of metal amongst the bedding, so they were quickly removed. We tried again with plastic tubing, but again it just got chewed. What are the tubes made of please?
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Post by deguconvert on Dec 21, 2019 5:08:14 GMT
I was looking at them and they make me think of tubing that might be used for a built in vacuum system. Very intriguing!
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ktz
Newborn Degu
Posts: 20
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Post by ktz on Dec 21, 2019 15:38:01 GMT
Speaking of tubing... added even more on 3rd level too: Tubes are made from plastic and are really light. In our region they're used for small ventilation systems. They are 100mm dia (wouldn't suggest smaller than that) and aren't expensive. 150cm tube (5 feet?) costs only ~4.50$, L & T shape connectors are like 2$ ea, attachments are like 2$ for a pair. At each opening I've added those metal tubes 100mm dia x ~8cm long just pressed inside - they are rust proof without sharp edges and goos can't really chew them up or leave even marks - so that mostly resolves chewing problem - only parts that they can chew are inside corners of L & T shape connectors. Mine chews them really rare. And even if something would get destroyed it's really cheap to replace.
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