Simulating The Degu's Natural Habitat !

[smux]

It's not so much I know what I am getting into...it's more that I know my options and I have lots of huge ideas that eventually I will research and make a reality. I think what I will do is choose plywood for the outside of the box and possibly use mesh INSIDE the box so they can't get to it, mesh is pretty cheap per roll if John Hopewell can sell huge rolls and still profit from it.

I've just "built" my babes a new cardboard house that's a bit bigger than the old one because it didn't seem big enough to fit them all in properly, they haven't looked inside it much, but I'll probably find they will be in it by tonight or back down in their "makeshift house" at the bottom of the cage.

I'll probably get working on my playhouse for them and have it started by the end of June, so I'll know all the prices by then and post about it here :-)

[NightwishRaven999]

Sounds good

I know you want to make sure the cage will be degu proof, but placing wire mesh inside the cage will not be nessecary. If the cage will be built like a box, there is no way for the degus to get out. Degus are unable to chew a flat surface...therefore they are unable to chew a hole in the wood.

Of course, this is your decision...but I just want to reassure you.
Building a wooden cage, is the best way to house degus without spending lots of money.
I am glad to see yet another member endeavoring to undertake a cage-building project.

Building a wooden cage is a lot cheaper than buying a metal wire cage...its also much easier to clean. When you do get the cage built, dont forget to post a photo of it in the "how to build a degu cage" topic.

[smux]

Building a mesh cage is even cheaper than building a wooden cage, I worked out. Once you have the materials and tools it works out an average of about £5-£10 per cage, I did the maths :-)

Degus *can* chew through flat surfaces (using just upper or lower teeth rather than both), but it would take a lot longer for them to get through it than it would take them to get through something with an edge to it that they can get their teeth around, plus if they're living in it then there's the problem of the wood rotting away over time, something I am going to have to deal with...I think I am going to have to make it easy for me to access and clean so I am sure they're safe inside it.

I'll work on the idea and rework it a little as I go, try to perfect the plans a little and get proper costings for it all, and once I have the tools, materials and am working on the box I will be taking pictures (and maybe videos) along the way as I build it so people can get an idea of the work put into it.

[NightwishRaven999]

Of course, mesh is less expensive than wood if you build the cage yourself (I was talking about commercially sold wire cages)...but most people who want to build cages do so to get away from the problems that occur with wire/metal cages.
Wire cages are very hard to maintain and eventually become a burden to clean.
The degus can also kick everything out the cage, including hay, food, bedding and poo.
Since little bedding can be used in a wire cage, the urine smells a lot more and the cage needs very frequent cleaning. The degus will also occasionally pee on the wheel, which in turn will send drops of urine on the walls and floor around the cage.

I am sorry to disagree, but no...degus cannot chew through a flat surface.
Their teeth are not in a position that will allow them to chew through a flat sheet of wood.
Secondly, most people who build cages, do so because they want to give their degus more room to run, play and live. Degus do not spend much time looking for a way to escape when they live in a large environment.

As for the wood rotting...I am not sure where you heard this.
A wooden cage does not rot. The big advantage with building a wooden cage is the fact that you can use lots of bedding. With the use of bedding, the cage levels stay dry and clean and this keeps the cage smelling nice and fresh for several weeks.

A wooden cage will last for many years.
You should know that wooden degu cages are not at all rare...many people are now seeing the benefit of building their own cage as opposed to buying expensive metal cages.


I dont know if you have already read this, but if not...you might find this thread useful for your cage building project.
deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Cage&action=display&thread=5734

[smux]

I guess if the wooden cage is well maintained it'll not rot, but I'm talking from a logical point of view rather than from reading it up from anywhere.

With regards to biting through flat surfaces, it is definitely possible but it might be that yours haven't felt the urge to do so. Mine bite the skirting board in my front room, and not just at the top...that practice will stop when they're more understanding of their surroundings so I am not worried about them biting huge holes in it or anything, but all it takes is a small nibble hole for them to gain purchase into the wood as it's no longer a flat surface. Although I guess the new home will be large enough that they decide not to do any digging into the wood, at least I hope so anyway :-)

I've used quite a bit of bedding and hay in the bases of my cage and I let them make all the mess they want with it, it's not difficult to clean up so I am not worried.

I haven't read up on other people's experiences of cage building yet because I want to get a full idea in my mind about what I would put in mine before I get ideas from elsewhere...but I'll definitely be reading up before I build it

[NightwishRaven999]

That sounds good

There were many things I had to learn before building my own cage, and today I am so glad there was a more experienced degu owner willing to help me. There are many experienced owners on here...and we can all benefit from this.

This forum is a great place to learn from other peoples experiences...it saves us from making the same mistakes others have done and allows us to share things we learn.

If you need any help or advice on the matter feel free to ask, we will be more than happy to try and answer your questions or give you ideas.

[tanyajk85]

thank you for the link i will definatally be taking some ideas from here

thank youuu

tanya xxx

[becksybonkers]

I have been told on many occations that wood shvings are harmful to degus, and that carefresh is simply the best. I have had my degus a week and ive only cleaned them out once and allready i have gone through a massive bag of carfresh which was £5.60 just to cover the bottom floor. Are you sure wood shavings are suitable for degus?? if they are, i will buy them in the future as carefresh is soo expensive. Which wood shavings are suitable for degus??

www.petsathome.com/shop/woodshavings-by-pets-at-home-16111

^^ is that wood shavings safe for degus?? as it doesnt say what wood is used. so im abit confused. any help would be greatly apreciated.

[iamlina]

Try this...really cheap, lasts ages and doesn't smell as bad as woodshavings. The mega bundle with the bedding is the one I get.
www.finacard-uk.com/
x

[NightwishRaven999]

@ Becksybonkers
It was found that wood shavings can harm small animals by damaging their respiratory system. This was caused mostly by the phenols and natural oils on the wood. Wood shavings also used to be dusty, resulting in many allergic reactions from different animals.

Nowadays we have dust extracted kiln dried bedding.
Kiln dried pine for example, contains none of the natural oils of ordinary pine bedding, making it safe for rodents.

Hehe, of course store employees will tell you that carefresh is the best...its the most expensive as well, so they make a lot of money off you Its simply too expensive for the large cages degus need. Some people use megazorb, others use finnacard. If you want a more natural looking bedding, go for kiln dried pine bedding or aspen wood shavings.

Some members use the pets at home wood shavings and have only seen positive results.

I am not the one who will contradict what others will tell you however. You must do your own research on the matter and decide for yourself if you want to use wood shavings or not.

[emz]

My dislike of Carefresh cannot be described in words! It looks un natural, you don't get much and it costs at least double! Seems like an excuse to make money off of you. I have used woodshavings ever since I got my degus 18 months ago and never had a sinus related issue - it is an excellent substrate for its price.

Make sure you buy stuff from a decent pet shop and not anywhere else. Like my mum use to get a big bale from a local farm for the guineapigs but they became a bit too dusty. The pets at home stuff does the job nicely though.

[becksybonkers]

emz
Does the link i posted abit earlier show the bedding you use? because i want to know if its suitable for my degus.
x

[emz]

Yeah that is the stuff I use.

Never use their scented wood shavings though as that will irritate their respiratory system.

[becksybonkers]

NightwishRaven999
what wood shavings do you use?? could you be kind enough to send me a link? you seem like you realy look after your degus and i am curious to see what shavings you use for your degus. thanks x

[emz]

He lives in Canada so he will probably use a product that may not be available over here.

[becksybonkers]

ahh ok. i think im going to still get the carefresh (for in their nest box and hammock) but im going to cover the base of my cage with P@H woodshavings to save my pennies

[emz]

You can just use toilet roll or kitchen roll for bedding too unless you have your heart set on Carefresh. I personally use tissue plus some hay, which I have in two places so that they have more in a more hygienic place then just their log house lol.

They also enjoy shredding up egg boxes and making that into bedding too. It has two uses then a boredom busting toy and then bedding afterwards. ;D

[becksybonkers]

hhahaha. sounds fun i give my degu a sheet of kitchen role each and they shread it up and put it in their hammock My degus love egg box's, but they don't seem to want to shread it up :S lol

[emz]

With the egg box I put treats in the bottom and then stuff it full of hay, then close it (can tie it with Sisal rope or another natural rope if you like) and you let them eventually solve how to get into it and get the reward. My two like this anyway. I then leave it in there and after about a week it is like "egg box? What egg box?"

[becksybonkers]

hahahaa. that sounds like a good idea, im guessing cotton twine is safe for degus? But if i do that.. my degus wont be able to realise its got treats in coz my hay has got herbs in so they wont be able to smell the treats over the hay, will they?