daveuk
Warbling Degu
Posts: 38
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Post by daveuk on Sept 24, 2011 16:16:00 GMT
This is my cage that I finished building yesterday
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 24, 2011 22:40:15 GMT
nexissa. I think your cage is great. If I were to add something to it, I would add another complete level in place of the small ledges that you have placed about. This will expland the running space they have, and will add to the interest as well. One of the things that we have begun to see more of on the forum is the use of a homemade wooden box that has a top you can remove so that you can place large amounts of hay or straw within it, and then an entry hole cut into the side where the degus can go in and dig through. You can layer the straw with paper and eatables such as wood chews, safe leaves, flowers, seeds, oats, things that they will search for as they dig about. This will give them a lot of interest and will enteratain them, as well as enrich their environment.
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Post by nexissa on Sept 25, 2011 7:29:32 GMT
Thanks deguconvert Hmm.... that's an amazing idea!! I'll definitely make them a box like that (or rather my dad will, hehehe). I'm sure the'll love it Thanks for the idea! Oh yeah, and just a fun fact.... I gave them an egg box about a week ago and when I was cleaning yesterday I couldn't find it anywhere They must have chewed it to pieces, hahaha.... they do like to chew They made themselves another entrance to their little house too
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Post by Maravilla on Sept 25, 2011 8:21:50 GMT
@ nexissa, for being this your first cage you did a very good job.
As deguconvert mentioned, a full level would be better, but I was wondering how you clean the top level. I don't see any door so I suppose you open the cage from top? Is there any chance to change this? Predators in Chile often come from the sky so this isn't the best idea to open a degu cage. I would suggest to include some more tubes. Degus enjoy them, to sleep in or just chew them. Are there cork tubes available in Slovenia? If not, there are other alternatives like cardboard tubes (the ones used for carpets for example, they have to be wide enough to avoid a degu getting stuck), or tubes made of clay etc. You can even make your own tube out of wood. The easiest way would be putting two lines of bricks and cover them with a wooden board. Have a look around the forum and DIY stores... I am sure you will find some inspirations. In the cage like it is at the moment, how do your degus can reach the upper boards? My little ones (all adults, 2-5 years old) only jump about 20-25 cm.
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Post by fred on Sept 25, 2011 9:03:07 GMT
Hi Nexissa and welcome to the forum!! (sorry this hasn't been said before).
The one thing I would change in your cage, as has already been suggested, is to have another full level. Degus are preliminary ground-living animals and the best way we can accommodate their need to run around is to provide them with as many levels as fit into our cages. If you have another level, you could also move some of the items from the ground level (for example the wheel) which would make the ground level even better for running.
As fas as the hammock is concerned, degus are well known to change their preferences where they want to snooze without any discernible reason. If you get them a new one, they may take to it immediately or ignore it for another year.
I love the names of your goos! Can we have some more pics of them?
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Post by aya0aya on Sept 25, 2011 9:38:59 GMT
Hi Nexisssa! It's great to see citizen here Well about closed up fabric house I have to say I came on the same idea here. I have bought a fake fur, go to the tailor (it can be tricky to find a tailor that will understand what you want) and now I'm waiting she'll make it. You can wait to see if my two will like it and make a decision after that. As I know degus, they'll probably use that for litter box or burrowing food, not for what I wanted to I'm sure you already know about their crazy decisions.
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Post by Kat on Sept 25, 2011 10:36:42 GMT
Very nice cage. I like the full levels. How do you like the upper wheel? I have seen one of these before, they look interesting. Is it noisy?
Kat X
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Post by Deleted on Sept 25, 2011 10:52:37 GMT
Thank you, Kat Well, the upper wheel was sold as a so-called "silent wheel".. and I've never heard a wheel making so much noise! It's a little heavy aswell, so Elune struggles a little to get it going, but once she does it's fine. I like it anyway, because there's nothing she can get stuck in or on
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Post by stevelup on Oct 29, 2011 9:56:05 GMT
Hi Here's my new degu enclosure. It's a bit unconventional but looks great and they love it:-
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Post by nuttz on Oct 29, 2011 10:08:24 GMT
it does look great and i bet it looks good in your house, an interesting feature for visitors to look at however... i would be very inclined to increase the space some more.. looking at the big unit you have, you could give them another section beside the one they have or.. on the opposite side of the unit, make something similar, the two middle sections you could make the top shelf as a big shelf so that they can get from one side to the other... hmm, im not sure if im explaining myself very well here (probably not...lol) but with that unit you have so many options, and you can make some really good improvements!!! id probably use the whole thing as a big degu cage, take the books and glasses out, with a unit that size and with lighting would look fantastic!! and with all the draws etc underneath *sigh* im actually jealous ;D
well done though, its a good start !
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Post by stevelup on Oct 29, 2011 12:10:47 GMT
i would be very inclined to increase the space some more.. You'll like phase two then... I'm thinking of constructing a run for them the full length of the top of the unit (outside of the glass part) I'll probably add another full size shelf in the middle at some point although they love running up and down the ladders. As cool as that would be, I would then have nowhere for my books or glasses!
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Post by nuttz on Oct 29, 2011 12:19:31 GMT
**As cool as that would be, I would then have nowhere for my books or glasses!** hmm....under your bed? ?? ;D ok, ok, i realize your point but it would look great and would be fab!!! you idea about making the run sounds brilliant, and by adding a full size shelf, wonderful.. im liking it ;D i know what you mean about yours liking the ladders, mine are the same, theyre always running up and down, personally mine all like to be at the top of the cage, that way they can see everything thats going on, even the babies have taken a liking to being up top! well done you!!!
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Post by Maravilla on Oct 29, 2011 16:42:30 GMT
The cage looks nice and is really a nice idea for those who have to combine degu keeping and storage of other things, but I agree that there could be some more space for your goos to run. I would not only add one but two full levels. It's now hard or impossible to change, but one horizontal level (about 2m long I suppose ?) would have been more appropriate for your goos. Can you say something about ventilation? I only see the mesh on top of the cage, but no way out of it as this part is also covered by the glass door. A good ventilation is very important for degus (to let heat and smells out) and at present I have to say that I don't consider it enough as far as I can see it. By adding 1-2 full levels it will be worse, I am afraid.
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Post by stevelup on Oct 29, 2011 17:05:55 GMT
Don't worry - there's ventilation at the tops and bottom - just not visible in the photo. Also, the doors stand clear of the cupboards by 10mm all the way round.
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 30, 2011 20:15:57 GMT
I think it looks great . . . maybe just a bit bare. Do you have a wheel for them to run in? Water bottle? Hammock? More branches to chew on?
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mel
Foraging Degu
Posts: 100
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Post by mel on Oct 31, 2011 13:08:38 GMT
Well after my disastrous start with being sold a totally unsuitable cage I now have my Xtrail. Although we loved it the mess was completely unbelievable at first with chippings, sand and poo being flung far and wide! After a quick trip to B&Q at the weekend we have now modified it slightly with wooden trays inside (and a few little shelves) and the mess is now contained and I don't need to get the hoover out 3 times a day!!!! It still needs some work and I collected a big pile of branches and twigs whilst walking my dog this morning so will be decorating it with these once they have dried out. I've also got an old fish tank in the garage which I'm going to clean and set up somehow for them to burrow in. Thank you all for your help and advice with the mis-sold cage saga!!! Alvin and Theodore are now 2 very happy degus!
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Post by fred on Oct 31, 2011 14:10:25 GMT
What a difference a cage makes No doubt Alvin and Theodore will be happy degus. You have done a great job, cleverly increasing their running options at the half levels. This is a good example how much can be done with minor modifications!
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 31, 2011 15:09:04 GMT
Beautifully done!!! BRAVA!! I love how you have put it all together, and modified it to make less work for yourself!! It's really great!
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Nov 1, 2011 1:48:10 GMT
Mel this is just fabulous ! Truly a great example for those who are not in a position to build a cage !
Well done Mel ! Keep up the good work ! Your degus will appreciate the added running space in the cage and the variety you are providing them in the diet.
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Post by xcasper17x on Dec 12, 2011 22:35:31 GMT
Here is my cage .... It may not be a suitable size for Degu's but its the best i can give them at the moment ... They did just have the green cage but i modified a cabinet and attached the cage as you can see. I will be adding a 2ft tall bird cage to the top of the green cage once i get some shelves and toys to fill it with. The cabinet stand at about 3ft tall. Yes there is no ladders from the holes in the cabinet to the levels above it but they really dont need the because they just jump up the holes or climb up the mesh because there is a gap about 2-3 inches between the mesh and the shelves. They keep chewing on the wood, is this safe? It is just normal cabinet wood it has never been varnished and doesn't seem to be harming them. Well they cant chew it that well as they are only young they try to chew it but they dont end up getting anything off lol. Does anyone know where i can get CHEAP logs from that they can chew/climb on? I say CHEAP as its christmas time and well lets just say im a bit skint cuz of it lol Oh and 1 more thing before i go. Yes i know they are by the radiator and they cant sweat but that radiator is always turned off so it wont bother them Ok so there is 1 more thing i forgot! Lol sorry i keep adding to this but i dont want to make a new post.... Is there any way to keep them from tipping their food bowl over? cuz i fill it up and within a few seconds of putting it in their cage its all over my floor lol
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