lindie
Foraging Degu
Posts: 107
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Post by lindie on Sept 2, 2021 8:09:44 GMT
The tictac wheels come with the X for fixing. When the bars rattle excessively, it sometimes helps to mount the wheel with the X onto a wood board, then bolt the board onto the cage bars. That might be helpfull. Do you have a picture of how to do this? I have the X now attached to the bars (it bend the bars a bit )
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lindie
Foraging Degu
Posts: 107
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Post by lindie on Sept 2, 2021 8:29:54 GMT
I use the metal X strips which I got with the wheel. The metal strips even bend the bars a bit. Since I am using the metal strips already, would you still recommend getting those long metal strips? The cage side does move with the wheel a bit, if I push against the side it gets a bit less. But I can't get it to stop completely. Yesterday I replaced the metal shelf/level with a wooden one, and the noise from the wheel seems a bit less. I thought about moving the wheel down the lower lever, but since the bars are bent where the wheel is now and I like the position, I don't really want to move it down because the bars would also then bend in the lower level. Getting the stand could also be a solution, but I only want to purchase the stand if the bars can break because from how the wheel is attached at the moment. The stand itself is not that expensive, but combined with with shipping and import tax it would cost a lot of money. Yesterday I also noticed some damage on the side of the back side of the wheel. I have no idea how it got damaged, I have not seen my degus showing interest in chewing the wheel, and I don't know how else it could gotten damaged.
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lindie
Foraging Degu
Posts: 107
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Post by lindie on Sept 2, 2021 8:37:27 GMT
Here's a link to the nest shelf cube box thing that I made and that evolved somewhat deguworld.proboards.com/thread/16376/cosy-cube-shelf I can't see any dimensions but I think it was only about 10 to 12 cm high and about 18cm across, length was open but I think 20 to 25cm would be fine. Do you have a playpen or safe play area? I think it would be worth trying the cocos soil in a deep open box at playtime, if you hide things in it it would encourage digging and activity, it could work well for playtime. Can you support the cage walls with your hands while they are running on the wheel to try to figure out if it's the wheel or the cage rattling? Yesterday I made the shelf cube box thing, the inside height is 11,5 cm, the width 18 cm and 18 cm deep. They enjoyed exploring it, but have not used it for sleeping or nest building (I gave them new toilet paper). Did I make it to big?
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Post by bouncy on Sept 2, 2021 8:38:11 GMT
The tictac wheels come with the X for fixing. When the bars rattle excessively, it sometimes helps to mount the wheel with the X onto a wood board, then bolt the board onto the cage bars. That might be helpfull. Do you have a picture of how to do this? I have the X now attached to the bars (it bend the bars a bit ) I'll draw something up for you later and post it on here. And no, if your good decided it was too big, they would just drag more stuff in there. Degus are fickle, so don't be offended if they don't move in there immediately. My lot can ignore something for a year before they suddenly decide it's the best thing since the wheel.
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Post by savvy on Sept 2, 2021 10:06:33 GMT
I have two tictac wheels in one cage and when they are both in use they do shake the cage, I've found that changing the configuration of the X at the back does limit it, but doesn't remove the problem completely, especially for the larger 16inch wheel.
The smaller 14inch wheel is a lot higher up as it was the only place it would fit and has a large bridge below to give them a safe and not too low landing place when they jump in and off, as opposed to the floor of the cage. This wheel doesn't rattle the cage so much because its not too near the fixed base of the cage, so the natural give in the bars allows the wheel to shake without problems.
Fixing anything that has a lot of movement near the edges of a fixed structure will exacerbate any shaking. Its a bit like trying to break a window, hitting it in the centre will just rattle the glass, hitting it at the corners or edges will break it because of the different tensile strengths in those areas. I know I'm not explaining this too well, but the terminology for physics is escaping me right now.
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lindie
Foraging Degu
Posts: 107
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Post by lindie on Sept 2, 2021 11:13:08 GMT
Thank for all the replies about the wheel. I think that that the noise is mostly from the rattling of things that are loosely attach to the sides. The bars of the cage are shaking when they are running in the wheel (like savvy said). Can the cage withstand this long-term, or will the cage wall/bars eventually break? And another question (yes I have so many questions, and they keep coming). Is Plexiglas safe incase they chew it? I At the moment it have created sides from cardboard boxes which works, but it is a sort term solution, and it is a bit dark. I want to make 10-15 cm high scatter guards from Plexiglas(Polystyrene glass), and attach these to the outside of the case (I think it would be harder for them to chew if the bars are in the way). But I want to be sure that Plexiglas is safe. here is a example I found on the internet: And is a multiplex and OSB wood safe to use in their cage incase they chew it? Attachments:
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Post by savvy on Sept 2, 2021 11:18:05 GMT
My oldest cage is over 6 years old and withstood it for well over 5years if that makes sense. I replaced the cage earlier this year because it was getting a bit past its best due to wear and tear rather than the shaking from the wheel. So far I've never had a bar break.
Hope that helps.
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Post by Xellie on Sept 2, 2021 12:32:31 GMT
My goos fav sleeping spot is a rather sturdy cardboard box I cut two holes into and shoved into a corner. Filled it with some paper bedding and a bit of hay. They add whatever they like and When I disturb them, they stubbornly pull the bedding over the little hole to "close the door". I had a more fancy version planned made out of wood to become a burrow box, but they like the cardboard.
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Post by Xellie on Sept 2, 2021 12:34:42 GMT
Thank for all the replies about the wheel. I think that that the noise is mostly from the rattling of things that are loosely attach to the sides. The bars of the cage are shaking when they are running in the wheel (like savvy said). Can the cage withstand this long-term, or will the cage wall/bars eventually break? And another question (yes I have so many questions, and they keep coming). Is Plexiglas safe incase they chew it? I At the moment it have created sides from cardboard boxes which works, but it is a sort term solution, and it is a bit dark. I want to make 10-15 cm high scatter guards from Plexiglas(Polystyrene glass), and attach these to the outside of the case (I think it would be harder for them to chew if the bars are in the way). But I want to be sure that Plexiglas is safe. here is a example I found on the internet: And is a multiplex and OSB wood safe to use in their cage incase they chew it? I have the same poop guards at the front of the cage and they don't even try to chew it. If you make the height close to one of the cross bars they can't really get a purchase with their teeth. as for OSB, I personally wouldn't risk it. I used it for the flooring on my old Degu palace, but never in a place they could chew.
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Post by bouncy on Sept 3, 2021 13:32:28 GMT
Sorry, not been able to draw anything, BUT get a piece of goo-friendly wood slightly bigger than the big metal X. Put holes in the timber to match up the bolts for the X and the centre bolt from the wheel. Fix the wheel to the bars as before, but with the wood in between! You may need to get some longer bolts, but you should find the timber helps to dampen the vibrations.
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Post by moletteuk on Sept 3, 2021 17:37:45 GMT
The box looks great, leave it a while to see if they move in.
In terms of forces on the bars from the wheel, the further apart you can get the top of the 'X' attachment to the bottom of it, the lower the forces will be.
What were you thinking of for the OSB timber? You can use almost anything if they can't get to the edge, but mine used to scrape at flat surfaces with their teeth if they weren't completely smooth. You can edge sheets of timber with metal or small bits of kiln dried softwood that are replaceable. My preferred sheet timber was always plywood as it's smoother and I presume has less glue if they do have a go at it. It's safer to just use softwood planks if the item is small enough.
I never used plexiglass as mine were always very chompy goos, but I like Xellie's suggestion that if you get the height perfect so that the cross bars block chewing access, it might be alright.
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lindie
Foraging Degu
Posts: 107
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Post by lindie on Sept 4, 2021 9:05:44 GMT
I want to replace the original plastic tray with OSB or other wood. The wood is at the bottom with the shavings on top of it. At the moment I already have OSB wood on the bottom part of the cage which they don't chew. But before I replace the other tray I want to make sure it is not dangerous. I was also thinking about taking the aquarium out, Or should I fill it with shaving? They don't use the aquarium digging box, they only build a nest which they don't use. What would you recommend? Taking it out so they have more running space, or filling it with shavings? About the wheel, I have been paying attention to the wheel, and it sounds like the noise does come from the rattling of object in the cage, but it also sounds like the wheel itself is a bit loose, I don't know how to explain it. I will try to record a video with the sound. I do not know if I said this before, but a few days ago I noticed some scratches on the wheel. My degus have never showed interest in chewing the wheel, but I don't know how else it got damaged. Do you think the scratches are degu chew marks?
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Post by savvy on Sept 4, 2021 10:03:23 GMT
If the marks are around the rim of the wheel they could be using it to grind their teeth as it spins.
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 4, 2021 20:31:34 GMT
I, like Moletteuk, prefer plywood over OSB. OSB has a higher amount of glue in it, which isn't good for the degus, especially if they are able to chew on it.
I would probably take out the aquarium.
I'm not really sure what is going on with the edge of your wheel. I can't say it looks like chewing marks, but not sure what else it might be.
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lindie
Foraging Degu
Posts: 107
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Post by lindie on Sept 5, 2021 8:25:22 GMT
Yep, I am going to take the aquarium out. I am going to use it for floor time when I move to my new Tiny house in January (yep, I will have a Tiny house full off animals . My guinea pigs will have an entire loft, and my degu cage will take up a very big part of my living area). I don't know if I said it before, when I got my degus from their previous owner they lived with a boy (I found a rescue which happily took the boy). So there is a change they could be pregnant. I hope not, I am guessing they are a half year old and hope they are not pregnant because they are still young. So that is also why I really want them to build a appropriate nest incase they give birth. I am monitoring there weight closely. About the wheel, when my dad comes home from vacation I am going to ask him if he could help me with the wood for the wheel to reduce the sounds even more. Until then, my classmates will just have to hear them run around during class . And about the scratches, if they used it for grinding there teeth, is there something I can do so they don't do it any more? they already have a lot of wood to chew (and they chew a lot!). I am also going to replace the OSB to plywood. Thanks for all the help and tips everybody! I really appreciate it. I truly try my best for my animals. If you have more suggestion is will love to hear them. I have already added the stones, the bigger wooden branches and the hide plateau which I showed you to their cage as well as the hide which I showed you. I also ordered some toys and supplies to make hanging toys. When I go to the hardware store I will get the plywood to replace the OSB and plastic for the bottom pans and the Plexiglas for the cage/poop guards. Oh, and I just remembered to do research about dried herbs and plants. I have a some dried plants and herbs for my guinea pigs and want to give them to my degus as well. I will add that to my todo list. I spend a lot of time every day thinking and searching how to improve my degu cage and care on a low budget. (Yes, I don't have much money to spend, and am spending almost everything on my animals ) (I have done everything so far on a low budget (except the wheel, the glass aquarium and the food bowls, water dishes and a few toys, I got everything second hand, or made it my self (I did buy the materials though)) I guess I am a bit obsessed with my degus at the moment. (I already spend hours on comparing the commercial degu foods available in the Netherlands (made a whole spread sheet with the ingredients, price, percentages of ingredients etc.. (I decided on a combination of versele-laga nature, and versele-lage crispy pellets because of the price and the combination would mean the right amounts of calcium to phosphor, protein, fats and fibers)). My parents think it's absurd, but I love it. When I am busy with my guinea pigs and degus I forget everything around and just calm down, relaxed and connect with them. It makes my so happy. Probably also the reason why my autism service dogs helps me so much. I am a really big animal lover! And call my room a little zoo (I'm 21 btw, so even though my parents think it's a bit absurd and don't understand it they support it)
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Post by moletteuk on Sept 5, 2021 17:11:02 GMT
If it's for a shelf then I would recommend melamine faced furniture board because it is wipeable. You do need to make absolutely sure that it is properly edged so they can't chew it at all and it is a little more expensive, but in the long run I found it easier. Did you find our information on degu foods? We have threads comparing ingredients and what they look like etc in the diet section sticky threads. I would say do be prepared to be flexible depending on what your degus prefer, things like hay and pellets can depend on what your degus will actually eat, and you may need to try different ones if they get bored. With the marks on the wheel, are they jamming anything under the wheel that could be rubbing or scraping on it? I think lots of us can relate to the whole degu keeping experience being utterly absorbing and spending hours trying to understand them and doing our best to give them the best lives we can. And also the fact that most people don't really understand that. It's a pleasure to chat with you, do make yourself at home on the forum and join in with any sections or threads you fancy
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 5, 2021 17:54:27 GMT
I ditto what Moletteuk has said!
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