Finished step 1 of cage!

[dyzired]

Finally finished step 1 of turning my cabinet into a degu cage... Got all the shelves knocked out. Turns out it wasn't particle board like I thought but i figured I'd knock it all out anyway. Now all I have to do is get tiles for the bottom floor of the cage.. Then build a couple shelves and screw them in... Make some sort of ventilation system on top..get a lock for the glass doors.. And make a short wall along the front base so I can put lots of bedding in there can't wait until it's finished! They're gonna be soo happy. Hopefully I can get them on speaking terms again first though :S

I also need to run to the store and get them a nice wheel (any suggestions of the best wheel? They currently have one of those thick plastic "silent" ones and they don't chew at all) ALSO I need to buy a couple metal bowls that i can secure to the wall, as well as another water bottle.

Also any suggestions on things I can get for them to chew on and the best things for them to get from one shelf to another?

[deguconvert]

There are a number of parrot toys that are great for degus as well. The pumice stone (an excellent chewing option for degus!) perches, thick rope toys (or you can use thick cotton rope and fashion something yourself), and some of the hanging toy things are great. You can also find wooden ladders that would fit in. You can make smaller shelves that you can arrange for them to hop up, or make one that is sloped like a ramp, between the larger shelves. You can also use some of the dryer exhausting hose that you can buy at some place like Home Depot, and they can climb/down up it. These are a few ideas . . . be creative and see what you can come up with!

[malteser60]

So, I was going to recommend a whole heap of things from websites I use... then I saw you're from Florida!

So, as DC says. Plus I would check out ebay as there are some good sellers out there that do kiln dried pine shelves with screws, washers, etc all to go. I wouldn't worry so much about them getting from one shelf to the next as, if they're fairly close, they'll jump from one to the next. But do use a ladder of some sort for the ones further apart. Or you can get the ramps that are made of logs tied together. As an idea see this but obviously you'll have to find something similar in the US. Then you can just fix eyelets and hooks.

Another thing you can do is use plywood or mdf for the big(ger) shelves as long as you edge with kiln dried pine.

[NightwishRaven999]

Seems like you are on the right track dyzired !
I will be following your thread closely and with anticipation.
Your degus will be very pleased with this new home you are buiilding.

Please keep us updated.

[lemony]

Hi , Having rescued 4 degu youngster which are in a bought metal cage. We want to build them a better, bigger one but not quite sure how to do it.
Having looked on the web for ideas about degu cages . i found yours.
It looks fantastic . do you have the dimensions and how did you fix the mdf together?
Sorry if this seems a silly question but I am new to DIY.

[malteser60]

Welcome to the forum lemony, you've come to the right place

So, we have a sticky thread with information and questions on how to build a cage.

Also one of our members (and moderator) has a website with fantasic step-by-step instructions on how to build a cage and dimensions:
octodondegus.weebly.com/

There's also some fantastics pics on some of our members cages.

Do keep us informed on your progress

[ava]

Looks good Brilliant idea too. Think I might try something like this myself, if I can find a cabinet on Ebay.