HOW TO BUILD A DEGU CAGE !

[moletteuk]

If you want it to look smooth you need aluminium angle like this search.wickes.co.uk/search?w=aluminium%20angle also available from b&q and screwfix.

[timonpumba]

That's brilliant thanks.

[timonpumba]

Hi, so Iv managed to build the frame and levels of my cage everythings went as planned so far. Iv been looking online for sheets of glass/plexiglass so I can build my sliding doors but its proving a lot harder to find than I first thought. Has any1 bought glass/plexiglass online for their homemade cage and if so where from?? plus I was looking at getting 6mm thick but was wondering if 4mm thick would be suitable or would it be too thin??

Any Advice would be greatly appreciated.

[moletteuk]

Oooh well done so far

I think glass needs to be bought from a local supplier, most larger towns have one.

There are some good online plexiglass suppliers who will cut to order, but I don't know of any off hand. There was a thread discussing this, including sheet thickness a couple of years ago that you could try searching for, and I'm not sure if member redheaddegu got some online fairly recently, but I can't find the thread, sorry

I'd try ebay as a starting point!

...here's the site redheaddegu used www.sheetplastics.co.uk/

If you search on here for plexiglass and perspex a couple of relevant threads come up.
One mentions another supplier called 'plastic man' another thread says minimum thickness is 5mm, but really I think it depends how big the sheets are.

[saddlers]

You can get plexi glass sheets from B & Q or similar, but it is worth checking with your local glass company as well, 4mm glass would be fine for sliding doors, there is no need for it to be toughened, and the glazier will also grind the edges so that there are no sharp edges. Finger pulls can also be added but they can be a bit pricey.

[ntg]

Personally, I'd go with toughened glass if you choose glass rather than it being normal. It might be pricier but, in case of a break, it won't splinter as much, which would be safer for you and the goos.

[lukebailey]

Hey, I'm trying to build a cage. I'm fine with the building but I'm not sure on what wood to use? I've seen the approved woods list but everything that shops seem to have is 'laminated' does that matter ? Also I'm in the uk and if someone knows a national shop I could buy the correct wood from it would be a great help!

[deguconvert]

Luke, are you in GB or are you in Canada, USA area?

[moletteuk]

Check out our materials guide deguworld.proboards.com/thread/17316/cage-materials

It explains how non chewable things can be chosen for their waterproofness, or cost, or ease of construction, and if you edge all your shelves and holes carefully, only the edging needs to be degu safe for chewing.

Personally, if I were building again I would use plywood for the back and sides, melamine faced furniture board for the shelves, and kiln dried softwood edging for chewable protection. You can get everything you need from Wickes, but if you want large sheets of plywood cutting instore then B&Q offer a cutting service.

[speedynnibbles]

Hi, I have been reading this thread for a while now but haven't posted until now. It has been very interesting seeing everyone's posts and cages. Following advice I have made my own cage and have included some pictures below.


(left-hand side of cage)

When I had a smaller cage I cleaned it out at least once a week but was wondering if I can clean this less? If anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate it

[moletteuk]

Hi, welcome

The cage looks great If the shelves are mdf you might find it helpful to varnish them or stick some fablon or vinyl tiles on them or even line them with cardboard to stop uring soaking in and damaging the surface. How are your degus enjoying it?

You can certainly get away with cleaning less than once a week, but it depends on the weeing habits of your degus, if they wee mostly in certain areas you can use ceramic tiles and square saucers and spot clean those areas frequently and then only clean the rest when it gets really messy with poo dottles. You might find that some shelves stay cleaner longer than others. With my cage I clean the bottom floor about fortnightly, the other big shelf every 3 weeks or so and the smaller shelves about monthly, and I tidy up a bit in between and clean potty areas about twice a week.