HOW TO BUILD A DEGU CAGE !

[degualot]

just wondering, In the uk, does anyone know where to get kiln dried pine for use as an edge lip for my shelves, i'm thinking it doesn't have to be very thick but all I can find at B&Q is shelves which are pretty thick..

[fred]

I am using kiln dried timber or CLS timber (which is probably kiln dried pine or spruce) from B&Q: search.diy.com/diy/Kiln%20Dried%20Timber. They have a large selection of different sizes.

[degualot]

ok thanks, will have a look at B&Q for those

[degualot]

I want to build a cage which is 200L x 60W x 100H... I plan on using
Plywood for the walls. I Plan on making 3 full levels within the same lenth as the cage itself. I plan on having two glass windows on the front which will be on sliders.. What I need to ask is thickness, what would anyone recommend for the walls and for the shelves. I'm assuming the shelves don't need to be as thick, I plan on lining them with kiln dried pine.

anway it's just a plan for now, I've got a couple of weeks before I build...

[Kins]

If I remember correctly, when we built our degu cages we used 18mm thick MDF for the walls. MDF is smooth whereas plywood is rough. I don't think there is any reason not to use either but as MDF is smooth it looks nicer and you can paint it (using water based paint) easily if you wish.

We also used MDF for the shelves and just put strips of kiln dried pine along the edges so that the goos could not chew the MDF. Then we covered the shelves with self adhesive floor tiles to make them easier to clean and to stop wee from damaging the MDF. If you have quite wide edging it allows for a good amount of substrate to stay on each shelf keeping them nice and cleaning, which means the cage needs cleaning out less frequently.

Hope that helps a little...

[degualot]

yeah that's something to think about? thanks for the advice..

[polythenegirl]

So at the moment we have our Degus in a P@H cage which I thought was fine, obviously on discovering here I realise its not... I love the idea of making my own cage but I don't think its something that I'd be able to do.

Is there anywhere/anyone that could make/sell one of the wooden ones?

[NightwishRaven999]

polythenegirl
Hello ! Welcome to the forum !
What region of the world are you living in ?

[polythenegirl]

Oh sorry - should have mentioned that really! I'm in Nottingham in the UK. I'm thinking that maybe one of the metal cages might be a better idea for me, but I really like how the wooden ones look. The Degus are still young and seem ok in the P@H one for the moment so i'd rather take the time to make sure that the next cage they have is the best I can afford for them

Thanks for the welcome!!

[fred]

Hi there and welcome to the forum! As a starter pack for those looking for a wooden cage but not wanting to do the full DIY thing, my personal recommendation is a second hand wooden vivarium. You can have a look at mine here: deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Cage&action=display&thread=6918&page=6 I had a quick look on gumtree around the East Midlands, and you should be able to find something suitable.

[polythenegirl]

Would that not be really dark for them?

Sorry for the questions... Although i've had my Goos for just under a year now I am still getting to grips with the best things for them

[fred]

It wouldn't be darker than any other wooden cage. The photo gives you a misleading impression because the wood is darker than that used in most cages. However, this does not affect the amount of light the degus get inside. I have been thinking of applying a layer of lighter degu-safe paint. If you do a google images search with “degus terrarium” (vivariums are called terrariums in Germany and are quite popular there), you will see a number of brighter examples.

[polythenegirl]

Ok i'll look into that - we have a Viv already for Geekos but its quite dark. I could take the top off and replace with mesh though I suppose. I'd feel more comfortable with doing that than building one from scratch I think

[mhb]

Hi there,

I came on here by accident because my three were acting a little strange (which they are getting over) and have since discovered that P@H didn't provide us with the right information about the size of cage we needed and as a result I am looking to extend our Thickets cage.
In the end I want to have a go at creating a decent environment for them like some of the amazing cages on here, but the immediate way to deal with this problem would be to get another Thickets cage and extend as suggested.

So are there any tips on how to do this?
I am guessing take the stand legs of and c clip it to the top of the other one but how and what is the best way to cut the tray etc.
I'm not sure I have any tools that would do it and I am worried about making the edge of the cut tray safe.

All help and advice appreciated.

Thanks.

[amie]

Hey

Welcome to the forum. I have found that the easiest way to attach two thickets cages is to attach them side by side. Take the side panels off and then join the two cages together with the metal clips you removed while taking the side panels off! Couldn't be easier. I did it (for my rats though) Your degus will then have 180+cm of running space which they will love! You'll then have two wire side panels which you could use for fashioning another level in the cage perhaps? Just remember to line it with carboard or kiln dried pine. Jobs a good'n! lol.

You can also attach one of top of the other by removing the WHOLE bottom of the cage to go on top (the metal tray and the wiring underneath) cut a whole in the top of the bottom cage and attach the top cage with clips

[mhb]

Thanks amie - brilliant idea to go side by side.
Just wish I had the space...

Cutting the whole top off would actually be a really good idea as then I could increase walk away space around the edges with pine shelving.
I just worry about taking the metal floor out and one of them falling from top to bottom as ours seem a little clumsy at times!

[mhb]

Pleased to report that I have just won a decent looking Thickets cage on eBay for £26!
Should be getting it couriered down hopefully next week.
I have spent the past few days designing a new Goo pad for our three terrors as they seem bellbent on trashing the place at the moment despite us trying to interact with them more.

I'll look into getting some pictures done up on completion!

[deguconvert]

Well done!! Looking forward to seeing the finished product!

[mhb]

Phase one complete -m the cage arrived off the courier in good nick this morning.
Borrowing tools from work tonight to make a start on it.
Getting natural wood at the weekend.
Hope to have it all complete by this time next week!

[mhb]

Done, having a beer in the afternoon sun to celebrate the completion of our double decker Thickets cage!
Got loads of branches, na whole new level, runways, toys and even a stone to give them more to do - they have a level to mooch about and bed down on and a level with the wheel and activity stuff.
I'll post up a full blow by blow blog and link it in but they are now exploring and growing in confidence.
I've a few tweaks to make having seen them in it over the last hour but extgremely smug and very happy for our girls.
Thanks to all who have given advice and answered questions you have hopefully made our Goos extremely happy.

I have the bug now.
Once we have fixed up our house and decorated I want to build them a proper wooden wardrobe home... next year!
lol