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Post by alisha9099 on Mar 27, 2007 20:34:13 GMT
I am a new owner of Degus...I have two I got them from the same place (which did not take care of them at all they were feeding them cheetos!!!) They were not caged together orignally, So I have to introduce them. I have read alot. Currently I put them in the bathtub and switch the cages they are in daily. When they are in the bath tub they do fairly well together. They squeek and kind of ignore each other. I have read that they will fight when they are caged together and that this is normal, but one of the degus is pregnant and do not want to put much stress on her. If I put them together in the same cage in they fight will that be bad for the babies (im assuming it is) but I didnt want her to have to worry about the babies all on her own...I read that the other one will help..Who ever the dad is is not around...I also didnt know if it would be better to introduce the two of them now...so that way I didnt have to introduce one of them to the other and all the babies...Not sure how I should handle this one...any advice!? Thanks  |
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Hanlou
Burrowing Degu
Basil
Posts: 284
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Post by Hanlou on Mar 27, 2007 22:50:41 GMT
If one of them is pregnant, I would *definitely* leave off the introductions until after she has had her litter......
Yes, they will help each other but only if they know each other well. The stress of introductions could easily endanger her babies, far better to leave it until she has given birth.
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Post by ilovemydegus on Mar 27, 2007 23:23:39 GMT
hi alisha
im not as experienced as some however i am learning and have seeked some very useful advice. i have two males that i rescued from the rspca and they were not living together.
They still aren't living together it takes time and alot of patience. I agree with Hanlou - don't introduce them yet because of the babies but when the time is right to introduce them here are some useful and important steps to take, this is what i have been advised:
1. If at all possible, divide one cage into two portions *horizontally*, so you can have one degu on top and one on the bottom. This is important.
2. Leave each degu in their respective half for around two weeks, without trying to introduce them again.
3. After this time, swap the degus between halves as before, give them another week.
4. Swap them back again for a few days, then attempt introductions on *neutral* territory. The bathtub is the best place for this. If all goes well do the next step; if not go back to weekly swappings.
5. See how they get on together for a few hours in one half of the cage. If all OK:
6. Try them overnight together in one half, then work up to a day. If all OK:
7. Keep them in the same half for a week, then remove the division and keep a close eye on them.
There has been much success with this for both male and female degus, so give it a try when the babies have come and mum is stronger.
Good luck x
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Post by degumaus on Mar 28, 2007 11:35:08 GMT
Hi, I agree with the others. But I would divide the cage upright. So they can smell each other and they can meet each other with bars between them. Also I would change the sides more often or at least change the dustbath daily. So the different smells get mixed. Is the second degu a male or a female? If it´s a male then you will have babies very often. Then I would not introduce them and when the babies are old enough then you can make a male and a female group |
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Post by ilovemydegus on Mar 28, 2007 12:04:44 GMT
i agree with you degumaus however making the divides upright and swappinbg divides more often had not worked for my degus, they fought when i put them together so this is another test and is apparently 100% successful? we will see but i will keep you all updated with how it goes. mine are both males. x
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Post by alisha9099 on Mar 28, 2007 15:43:21 GMT
One of the degus had her babies...I didnt expect them sooo soon...She was barely showing though you could tell...I can see two...don't know if there is more...she screatches if you go near the cage... The problem with the cage is its one of the multiple layers...and it is close to impossible to seperate the cage...Ill try removing the layers and see if I can seperate them this way...They wont be able to jump around but there will still be plently off room and they can climb and have their wheel... I was seperating them (one is a 20 gal fish tank) but I feel bad its soooo small!! I will try taking the layers out and spliting the cage Should I do this now (because there are the babies) or should I wait till the babies get older? How old should the babies be when introducted to the other degu...(Only girls) I wont even bother introducting the males...They are soo cute but I dont need any more babies |
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Post by degumaus on Mar 28, 2007 16:23:58 GMT
One of the degus had her babies Ooh, congrats to the babies ;D Hmm, how high is the cage? It´s just when the babies start to climb then I would be worried they could fall down from the top. Can you put the two cages side by side? ?? Sorry, but I don´t understand this. Were the two adult degus together or not? I´m a bit irritated now  |
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Post by alisha9099 on Mar 29, 2007 13:00:30 GMT
The two adult degus were never together they met a few times in the bath tub...I didnt expect the babies soo soon so I thought I would introduce them...They did very well...Right now I have the two cages side by side The momma's cage it the large one, and the one that is not pregnant has the smaller one...The large cage is probablly about 3 feet high. I didnt know that the momma was going to have her babies soo soon and I didnt want to move her and the babies into the smaller cage because she had already made a nest and squeeked everytime you even walk into the room!
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Post by degumaus on Mar 29, 2007 13:51:39 GMT
I think there´s nothing you can do now. Let the cages side by side and wait with the introduction. But I don´t know how long you should wait, sorry. Maybe another one will know it.
Good luck with the babies
(Can you post pics? ;D)
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