HOW TO BUILD A DEGU CAGE !

[brydyslass]

Do you have access to any basic plans for cages. I'm not too good at woodworking but if I had something simple to follow I could persuade uncle or father in law to help me build something for my 2 + 1 degu family.

[NightwishRaven999]

I did not keep the plans for the cages I have built, but it you would like, I could make one and post it on here. On the website there is one photo that gives you an idea of the basic design.

[brydyslass]

THat would be really kind if you wouldn't mind. The space I have for the cage is 4 ft wide and up to 6 ft high. The only prob that I have is that my degus are seperated, Bubble and Squeak are one pair and Jake is on his own, hopefully temp situation. So I would want a centre divide that could be removed, god willing that my boys finally like each other.

I can't thank you enough for your help. And hopefully this will help keen folk like myself give their degus excellent homes.

Angela

[NightwishRaven999]

@ brydyslass
Hello Angela ! How are you ?
Here you go.



Wasnt sure if you want to build with glass or mesh for the doors, but I decided to make the plan using mesh. If you would like to use glass or plexi glass for the front, let me know.
I will modify the plan accordingly.
As for the measurements, they are of your choosing of course...

For a cage separation...you can simply install a thin wooden sheet in a vertical position, to separate the cage in half.
This would mean adjusting the levels differently on both sides...but its still doable.

Also keep in mind that the bigger the cage, the better the chance that your three degus can be reunited. Lack of space can be a cause for fights among degus. I am not suggesting that the cages you have are too small, I am just saying that in a big cage, they are more likely to get along

Let me know if this isnt exactly what you wanted and dont be afraid to ask questions.

[Kins]

I have been inspired!!!

I ordered a John Hopewell cage a week or so ago but he is unable to make it until the end of June, I have decided I just can't wait that long!

So...this weekend I am on a mission to get all the bits and pieces I need to make my own cage. I was thinking of making a slight alteration/addition of a deep plastic tray in the bottom that should slide in and out so that I can just take it out and empty it when cleaning. To make this possible I am going to have mesh doors that go from the top to the bottom so I can just open them and slide the tray out and hey presto! And if it gets chewed I can just replace it with a new one.

What do you think? You seem to be very knowledgeable about cage building so I would love you thoughts about this!!!

I also wanted to ask what sort of wire is the best to use for the front and top?

I am so excited!!!

Thanks!!

[smux]

The deeper you can make that base, the more expensive it will be for you to fill up but the more FUN it'll be for your babies as their natural instinct is to dig. If they get more food than they need or you offer them a few too many treats (I offer mine puffed wheat and they eat a few then...) they'll go find a place to dig and bury it for later. Also, if you change the dimensions slightly, you could probably buy two cat litter trays and cut the ends off then join them together and it'll make for a perfect tray for the base.

The wire you are looking for is the kind John Hopewell has at www.johnhopewell.co.uk/default.asp?template=productlist.page.xml&CategoryId=10 but I am betting you can find it cheaper elsewhere esp. considering you don't need a roll as big as that :-)

Edit: You could probably cheaply fill the base with shredded paper (or something like that) and put hay over the top of it...it'll be cheaper than wood shavings anyway...and if you're going to use either then DON'T trust any shop's *claim* about it being dust-extracted and use a sieve to remove more dust from it before you use it. I bet it surprises you how much dust you get out of it this way (a metal sieve is best, they usually have larger holes in...and you can buy huge sieves fairly cheaply). If they're digging in it, dust will be an even bigger problem than it would normally be as they'll be right in it.

If you want to be super-cheap, try shredding toilet paper (with a paper shredder or by hand...they'll probably shred it further themselves and use it for bedding in their house too :-))...you can buy a 12-pack of toilet rolls for less than £2 and it'll only take 2-3 rolls to fill most bases

[Kins]

www.gardensupplydirect.co.uk/plant_pots_and_trays/titan_gravel_tray_black/13350_p.html

This is the tray I was thinking of getting for the base. Do you think it'll be ok? Size wise it's about perfect.

I think maybe I'll put a layer of wood chippings on the bottom, covered with some sort of lovely soft shredded paper, that should make it nice and cosy.

I can see what I'm going to be doing all weekend and next week...preparing the home for my new additions!

[smux]

A bit expensive but it does look perfect for what you want to do. If you want to get serious with the digging aspect, there is something else you can do for them...a digging pit is a box filled with organic soil and chinchilla sand and degus love to dig in them...you could either fill the base with this mix so they can dig around or you can make a digging pit TOO and put it at the side of the cage with a hole to let them in.

Some people fill their digging pit boxes with bedding (or maybe toilet paper, again :-)) rather than making it a natural style environment, and this is an option, but research digging pits (I'll add an article about them to the wiki I'm working on, but it's not there for now :-P) and you might fall in love with the idea. You can also buy digging pits, of course...they're out there, but it's more fun making your own.

[Kins]

My partner is making a stainless steel (is that ok for Degus?) tray for the base and I have found somewhere I can get all the bits I need to make my cage. I just have one more question though, is it best to use galvanised wire mesh and what size holes should it have?

Thank you so much1

[NightwishRaven999]

@ Kins
Hello ! How are you ?
Sorry, I have not been on this thread for a while.
Yes, if you plan on building the front of the cage using mesh, it should be galvanised.
This should stop rust or corrosion from settling in on the mesh.

Stainless steel is perfectly safe for degus, so that is no problem.
Best wishes...keep us updated.
Would love to see some photos of the cage once it is finished

[Kins]

I am getting a bit carried away with this cage planning, my poor other half is being driven slightly mad I think!

Thank you so much for all your help, it's fantastic. I am now just trying to decide on the layout of the shelves in the cage. I'm really hoping we can get all the building done on Saturday and Sunday so I can go and get the Degus on Monday as we have a Bank Holiday here, yay no work!

I will make sure my other half takes plenty of piccies along the way, particularly as he is a semi-pro photographer so has all the gear and is very talented. I'm hoping that once I get my Degus he will be happy to take lots of photos of them so I can be the proud Mum and show them off!

One last little question, what do you use to attach the edges to the shelves?

Thank you so much!!!

[emz]

Don't worry about seeming crazy with a lot of planning. I have been planning mine for weeks and I finally got some money in so I am probably going to buy materials today/tomorrow.

Can't wait to see your cage. ;D

[NightwishRaven999]

@ Kins
Hi there !
The edges are held on to the levels with nails. I used a drill to make small holes and than hamered the nails deeper in the wood. The longer your level is, the more nails you should use.

Here, I made a little something that should help you visualize how I do it.




Although nails are better, if you do not have a hammer, you can use thin screws. The only issue with the screws it that unless the level you are screwing the edge to is very thick, there is a possibility that you will split the wood open. If you use screws, use the thinest ones you can find and be sure to screw them directly into the middle of the level.

[Kins]

emz: I do like a good plan/organise, so this project is keeping me very busy!!

Thanks NightwishRaven, I am loving the diagram, that is really helpful so thank you very much. I had to nag the other half to sort out the tray for the bottom today, so fingers crossed he gets it sorted, I will not be a happy bunny if he doesn't!

I can't believe how much these little creatures are taking over my life...and I haven't even got them yet!!!

[NightwishRaven999]

@ Kins
I am sorry, I just remembered you asked about the spacings in the wire.
I am no expert with wire mesh, but I think 2-3 cm of spacing should be fine.

If someone knows better about the wire mesh size, please correct me.
Thanks

[NightwishRaven999]

I know some of you were having trouble visualizing how I use the triangular levels...so I made another diagram to illustrate how I do it.

Its very simple and its great for cleaning and removing the levels quickly.





The second diagram is very important.
You need to use a screw, or even two to keep the level from tipping over or moving. With four screws underneath and one or two on top, the level will be perfectly stable.
You can remove the levels by simply pulling on them...no need to remove the screws.
Its very important to use long screws. You want to only screw them half way into the wood and leave the other half sticking out, so that the level can be placed on top.

Hope this helps...

[w8152]

good news! i bought the first lot of materials to build my cage! I'll post up some pictures of it soon at each stage of the build (and no laughing if i dont pull it off the way i expect it to work!!).

Think i should start a new thread with it?

[Philip]

That sounds great! Yes definitely!!!! This threads full already.

[emz]

w8152: I am getting my materials today sometime too! Snap. ;D - I say make a new thread about your build and its progress that is what I was going to do personally.

[NightwishRaven999]

Anyone who is ready to build his/her own cage should start a new thread.
Dont forget to post a photo or two of the cage in here though