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Post by malteser60 on Nov 16, 2011 16:23:53 GMT
Kins, did your goos try to chew the tiles that you placed against the wall? I am going to use the tiles for my shelves and was thinking about placing them up against the wall but then thought they would chew the tiles off from the edge.
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Post by Kins on Nov 16, 2011 16:39:52 GMT
Kins, did your goos try to chew the tiles that you placed against the wall? I am going to use the tiles for my shelves and was thinking about placing them up against the wall but then thought they would chew the tiles off from the edge. They haven't...yet...touch wood! They seem to prefer chewing the shelf edging  and the door frames  instead. There are edges of the tiles very easily accessible on the walls, but like I said they haven't chewed them at all. Which I am very impressed with now you've mentioned it ;D |
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Post by malteser60 on Nov 16, 2011 16:44:02 GMT
Ah well, if mine chew them then they'll chew them! They've eaten enough wallpaper now to have hopefully built a tolerance to adhesive |
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Post by Kins on Nov 16, 2011 16:48:50 GMT
Ah well, if mine chew them then they'll chew them! They've eaten enough wallpaper now to have hopefully built a tolerance to adhesive One way to minimise the chewability (think I've just made up a word there ;D) of the tiles would be to place them so that they are right next to each other 'all the way around' the cage so that there are theoretically less bits/edges where they could start the chewing... Does that make sense at all? |
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Post by Kat on Nov 16, 2011 17:35:34 GMT
Has anyone made a wooden cage with an all mesh front?
Kat
x
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Post by malteser60 on Nov 16, 2011 17:48:04 GMT
Ah well, if mine chew them then they'll chew them! They've eaten enough wallpaper now to have hopefully built a tolerance to adhesive One way to minimise the chewability (think I've just made up a word there ;D) of the tiles would be to place them so that they are right next to each other 'all the way around' the cage so that there are theoretically less bits/edges where they could start the chewing... Does that make sense at all? Yup, that makes sense. I was more thinking about the top edge of the tile if it doesn't extend all the way up to the next ledge, as well as the top section. I've been thinking about using laminated wood instead of plywood however it's lots more expensive so going to use the tiles instead. |
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Dec 14, 2011 5:41:38 GMT
Many of you and many owners outside the forum are using ceramic tiles to line the cage floor and levels. This is a great way to reduce the risk of stains and makes for an even easier cleaning. I have been editing the cage building article over the past few weeks and will be adding this clever suggestion to the website. Many have suggested the ceramic tiles to members who have become newly interested in the DIY frenzy. So the idea of using tiles to line/cover the horizontal surfaces in the cage will be presented as a suggestion from the Degu and Chinchilla World Forum members. Thank you Your suggestions and ideas will now serve an even larger number of interested ones. |
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Post by makeriotsnotdiets on Mar 1, 2012 19:58:48 GMT
hey guy's,
We've had our goo's for a week now and they have been living in a converted IKEA bookshelf since they arrived and I've been planning their new home all week. thanks for all the info on here, and to you Nightwish especially... your site brought me to this forum so I (and the goo's) will be forever grateful. I'll post pics of new and old on a new thread when it's complete. (hopefully by the weekend)
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Mar 4, 2012 20:43:49 GMT
Hello ! Glad to see you on here I am happy you have found the information on our website to be helpful. Several dozen degu owners have contributed to the article on cage building, it has proven to be a great success. Keep a close eye on the cage building article and the other articles on the website...new additions are coming soon. I look forward to seeing photos of your new cage !  |
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Post by luluzellbell on Mar 5, 2012 21:35:41 GMT
I'm really fixed on making this cage for my (coming soon!) degus.
I was wondering if there were any things I should specifically watch out for when building, and also, what is the kind of budget you are looking at to build one of these epic cages? I'm on quite a limited budget, but there are ways I can maybe get quite large scraps of wood. Also, how many hours of labour required? I was hoping to spend up to a week on the cage, but if I need more time...
Thanks! 😜
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 6, 2012 5:23:12 GMT
It really depends on the materials you use to build it from, whether or not you choose to refurbish a piece of old furniture into a cage, and what all you want to include in it. Have you drawn up a plan at all? Have you considered looking for a piece of used furniture for low cost, such as a chest of drawers, a wardrobe, a deep shelving unit, etc to be the skeleton of your cage?
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Post by smithomatic on Mar 6, 2012 18:20:51 GMT
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Post by luluzellbell on Mar 6, 2012 18:59:15 GMT
I have wood! For free, and I have a helper too, who's going to teach me how to use all the saws!
I think I'll be fine with this project now, as my dad is a big fan of anything practical, and loves to tell me what is good and not good ect... I have drawn up a plan which looks great (I think) and is really huge. I'm going to make lots of big levels too, so my degus will have loads of space! I just can't wait until I can get started now, I'm really in the groove!
Also, how often do you need to clean a large homemade cage, (is it difficult,or does that depend in the design?) and does it smell much? Most websites say not, but I want to see what the majority of people think.
Thanks for all your help, I may have more questions soon!
Lulu😃
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Post by smithomatic on Mar 6, 2012 19:05:31 GMT
I clean my enclosure once every 2 months, I spot clean and re-arrange the enclosure to my tastes throughout this time as well. (spot clean - taking out some of the bedding and replacing it with a little bit of fresh bedding.). Every 2months I take out EVERYTHING and disenfect it all The ease of cleaning will depend on design, if you can completely open up the enclosure then yes, easy! If like me, you only have access to one half of the enclosure at a time it can be more difficult. I would say in both cases its still easier than cleaning a metal cage. As for smells, my enclosure does start to smell, but only after about 2months, this is how I know its due a full clean You can also sporadically add lavendar scented wood shavings, this keeps it smelling really nice Im so pleased that you have decided to embark on this project! Make sure you take lots of pics of the building progress and planning and everything! Make a thread in the journals section below! |
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Mar 7, 2012 22:38:26 GMT
As smithomatic points out, such an enclosure is easier to clean and the smell is kept at a low.
It is very important to use sufficient bedding in wooden cage. This will keep the levels dry and free of urine stains and will keep the cage smelling fresh for several weeks.
I go for one monthly cleaning of the cage.
It seems you have done your reading well. It is good to hear you plan on using large levels in the cage. Let us know how your plans progress.
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Post by luluzellbell on Mar 8, 2012 7:41:32 GMT
Hey again, I'm gonna try to update my guinea pig cage as a starter, also I wouldn't want them to feel left out, and then
I am making my cage!
Woooohoooo!
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 8, 2012 14:01:38 GMT
LOL!! This sounds like a great way to break into, and prepare yourself, for building a cage. I hope it goes very well for you!! Will you post pictures for us?
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Post by luluzellbell on Mar 8, 2012 16:09:00 GMT
I need to work out how to do this first!!! 😜
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Post by luluzellbell on Mar 8, 2012 21:29:43 GMT
Post a picture, I mean...
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Post by deguconvert on Mar 9, 2012 3:22:44 GMT
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and the door frames 
instead. There are edges of the tiles very easily accessible on the walls, but like I said they haven't chewed them at all. Which I am very impressed with now you've mentioned it ;D
