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Post by hazel on Aug 20, 2021 12:13:47 GMT
HELLO HELLO HELLO. some of you may remember me from a months ago when i spammed the boards with my low-quality noob threads. well, i'm back and everything's sorted out at last. the first rule of the internet is to never post identifying information. that said, papa is pleased with my exam results. this means i can ~confirmedly~ get three (3) degus, but he'd rather not drive me far to pick them up. i live in the west midlands. i have no experience with degus or any other type of small, furry animal that said, i have done my research and have these boards for excellent advice and moral support. i don't mind if it's a group of males or females or both, but i don't want any unexpected litters. three is enough, thank you!!! there are no pets or children in the house. i have time upon time, so that isn't an issue for me. if you need any other information, ask!!
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Post by deguconvert on Aug 20, 2021 19:10:00 GMT
Hello, Hazel! That sounds amazing! I'm so glad your exams have gone so well, and your hard work has paid off!! So . . . now to find three degus?
Are you looking for advice on where to look?
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Post by hazel on Aug 20, 2021 23:00:09 GMT
Are you looking for advice on where to look? I've looked in all the usual places. Do you have any idea why RSPCA shelters are still closed to visitors? There is a promising trio in the York branch, except for it seems they need an experienced handler. It'd be nice to get a look at them in person first... On the main RSPCA site are three beautiful degu boys named after popular brands of pop in some Welsh branch, but they won't rehome beyond an hour's drive I rang up the shelter on the degutopia site and a nice lady (Peggy, by name) told me there were only degus six years and above in age, and she wasn't likely to get any younger ones in soon. ...Is Pets4Homes worth a shot? It always struck me a little sus.
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Post by hazel on Aug 20, 2021 23:27:15 GMT
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Post by bouncy on Aug 20, 2021 23:44:52 GMT
They look lovely! I'd want to know some more information, such as how old they are, why the owner is parting with them, and whether they've ever been to the vet.
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Post by savvy on Aug 21, 2021 7:48:02 GMT
I read further into it by looking at his profile etc. He's a breeder, regularly posts, and they are between 18 months to 2years depending on when it was posted.
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Post by hazel on Aug 21, 2021 13:25:39 GMT
So his profile says (/frequent seller), but since he's selling the cage too and for far less than it's worth i think this is more of a one-off thing. his only other listing is putting his purebred spaniel up for stud...
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Post by savvy on Aug 21, 2021 13:31:24 GMT
Ask him for the dimensions and/or photographs of the cage. You need to make sure its suitable.
Also ask him if the degus have been seen by a vet recently.
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Post by winic1 on Aug 21, 2021 13:36:03 GMT
When I saw their photo, my first impression was that they are skinny, too skinny, as to me it looks like their backbones are sort of prominent. Or is this just because I was used to my huge 300g+ american degus? I just remember their body profiles as looking rounded, and when they got sort of triangular, it meant they were losing weight and needed teeth done. Or am I completely wrong here?
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Post by winic1 on Aug 21, 2021 13:38:22 GMT
When I saw their photo, my first impression was that they are skinny, too skinny, as to me it looks like their backbones are sort of prominent. Or is this just because I was used to my huge 300g+ american degus? I just remember their body profiles as looking rounded, and when they got sort of triangular, it meant they were losing weight and needed teeth done. Or am I completely wrong here?
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Post by savvy on Aug 21, 2021 13:47:44 GMT
Sphene tends to sit so her backbone is prominent and she tops the scales at 300gm+, its just that she doesn't spread herself lengthways. It may be from squatting on narrow ledges.
The one of the left looks a bit battle scarred, I'd ask about fighting etc as they're not that far out of adolescence. It would be worth asking about their diet etc and why he's selling. These questions will help you decide and also prove you've done your homework.
You also need to work out how you are going to transport them. If the cage won't fit in a car, you may need to hire a van. Depending on the cage itself, you may also need carry cages for them as it may be unwise to transport in the wooden cage.
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Post by hazel on Aug 21, 2021 14:45:17 GMT
chat log: "Hello, your degus look lovely ☺ I'd like to ask a few questions: 14:18 How old are they? 14:18 Have they ever been to a vet? 14:18 Why are you parting ways with them? 14:18"
no reply as of yet.
the cage is described as a "big wooden enclosure", and i thought it had measurements in the description but i must have been mixing it up with another listing. can anyone eyeball whether it's big enough by the pictures alone, with the degus for scale?
i have means of transporting the degus + a cage, so that's not a worry.
i've now asked about whether they get on well, how big the cage is, and what they've been fed.
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Post by hazel on Aug 21, 2021 14:47:37 GMT
this seller is kind of sus
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Post by savvy on Aug 21, 2021 14:55:39 GMT
Its almost impossible to see how deep it is without the measurements. You need to work out the CARA to see if its suitable, a bargain cage, is no bargain if it ain't big enough. Remember that ledges don't count, only full or half levels count.
You are asking perfectly reasonable questions, so if they don't get back to you or start to get a annoyed, move on, its not meant to be with that particular group. You will find the right ones, it can take time.
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Post by savvy on Aug 21, 2021 15:06:03 GMT
I've had another look at the photo of the cage, is that a thickets I can see on top? If so, the wooden cage is only just deeper than the thickets.
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Post by hazel on Aug 21, 2021 21:12:16 GMT
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Post by hazel on Aug 21, 2021 21:14:36 GMT
4ft wide x 6ft tall x 2ft deep is plenty spacious, isn't it?
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Post by hazel on Aug 21, 2021 21:16:36 GMT
AHHH YES AT LAST I WILL HAVE MY WIDDLE FUZZY PUPS!!! UWU!! what do you mean, overspill of mothering instincts?
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Post by hazel on Aug 21, 2021 21:17:34 GMT
to clarify: it is not a done deal. i am simply excited to add rodents to the household. i've always wanted a pet mammal...
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Post by savvy on Aug 21, 2021 21:41:17 GMT
Its the same cage as the previous ad, check the photographs.
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