Pee free walls!

[stoney]

I don't know if anyone else has tried something like this but I've done a mod to our cage which has dramatically reduced the problems of sand, sawdust and the less mentionables flying out the cage, Perspex sheets! Using a few bolts I've put a full sheet down the back of the cage to protect the wall and 3" skirts round the front and sides to keep in the majority of the sawdust and all that gets thrown out! It's working a treat and has cut down the daily hoovering of poos from the carpet. The Degus can still climb around the walls and the "splash guards" are easy to remove when cleaning out for wiping down! I might try to fashion some sort of clips to make their removal even easier. Much nicer than wiping the wall down every few days! I'll try to post a picture to illustrate.

[ra]

Is Perspex similar to Plexi-glass? My two could chew the heck out of plexi-glass. I'd considered using Plexi-glass when the babies were born because they unfortunately could squeeze through the bars of the cage. I was worried it would block the airflow too much too. I'm sure it depends on the size of the cage. I built a glass cage bottom with 5" sides and have the cage wrapped in hardware cloth (similar to window screen but heavier gauge wire). That reduces, but does not eliminate, bedding etc from being thrown out of the cage. Ah well better than the 3/4" open bars! I will be curious to hear if your Degus were able to chew on the Perspex.

[roz]

I'd love a close-up pic of the way you've bolted it together.

I'd also like to see pics of the "corral" you described when you came to get Cola and Hermano

I use perpex to cover the base of my upper cage, as it has a wire base. The degus never bother chewing it as long as they have plenty of other things to occupy themselves with and loads of other stuff to chew.

[Hanlou]

Hi. Sounds great..... I've thought of doing something like this with my rats' cage. I've got a Ferplast Duetto, so I think you could 'wedge' the Perspex between the edges of the cage. Quite a few people have successfully used it as a shelf to stop long drops, I do know that. It may well get gnawed though.

I'd love to see a pic as well!

[Aimeelou]

Stoney, i too have the problem of wee-stained walls:(
Ill have to try that, especialy as my boy Taco STILL marks his territory around the cage for his girls!

[stoney]

Sorry for the delay, heres a pic of the cage I'll try to do a close up of the bolts which hold the perspex side covers and a picture to show the new extention when I can get the camera to work again!

[ra]

Nice setup. What was I thinking! The Degus can't chew on the perspex nor plexiglass if it is on the outside of their cage. For some reason I invisioned the perspex on the inside of the cage.