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Post by davx on Sept 11, 2011 15:41:26 GMT
*g* I know this too. In my outdoor enclosure they clipped the vegetation, first along their used ways, then the other plants. But unpopular plants are mainly ignored. In addition they excavated burrowlike holes in the sand. I made a similar experience with the cage size. When I started with a tiny cage (only 80 x 40 cm at the base and 50 cm height), I wasn't aware that they nibble the fence was a sign of missing space. It was a big difference, when I built a new, larger cage... also optical the difference is evident: Recently I had the opportunity to test a degu keeping method with much more space: I splited my bedroom in the old flat with wooden boards so that I had an area of about 4,5 square metres. I left the degu cages inside this area opened so that the degus could use them as shelter, provided them additional structure elements like large branches, a big sand bowl etc. Here I have published further photos: www.octodons.ch/index.php/Kaefigbau_freilaufhaltung
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Post by deguconvert on Sept 11, 2011 19:09:45 GMT
I want to know the answer for this too!
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Sept 13, 2011 5:07:46 GMT
@ Maravilla Thank you for the comment, but also thank you for inspiring me to make progress. Your posts and photos are very helpful. @ Kat The courgette (zucchini) needed to be dried in the oven. It did not respond as well as the aubergine to air-drying, and I had to dispose of some pieces that were starting to rot. Instead of leaving the remaining pieces to dry in open air, I put them in the oven and inserted them into a brown paper bag afterwards. @ malteser60 and Deguconvert Actually it is the easiest way I have found to dry the herbs and plants. Things usually dry quickly when deprived of lights and the paper bags keep humidity at a low, since they absorb moisture. After hanging the fresh herb plants upside down for about 36-48 hours, I have placed them in paper bags. The drying process worked very well and will be using the same method for my next mix. I did not place the bags over a heat source...but of course, it would speed up the process even further. Worth a try @ DavX I have always loved the photos on your website. I have been looking at them for some years now and have found them to be a great inspiration. The enclosure you have created around the cage is truly a great way of giving the degus more running space. I have temporarily experimented with this, but the concept of the enclosure being a permanent installement is interesting. It is especially true for those of us who have less time to let the degus run free or no safe room to let them run around in. Although a seperate enclosure/play pen is also commendable, many degus do not like being handled or picked up. Creating an enclosure around the cage, where the degus have access in and out themselves is another step forward in the matter of degu housing. Thank you for sharing this with us. Although the play pen is something I have considered discussing on the 'How to build a degu cage' article, your idea of a permanent running space is worth being mentioned on the website...as an addition to the cage. When I do include this in the website, I will need to publish your personal experiences and input on the matter... Something similar to the testimonials Faith, Bex, Emma, Fred and Marlén have posted on the website.
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Oct 5, 2011 6:53:45 GMT
Journal Entry: 6Feel strange to say this...but yes I do have other projects besides expanding my website. Degus are not my whole life you know !That is why I am currently embarked on a new project. I am building a new degu cage ;D Hopefully this time they will leave me alone and stop complaining about how cramped it is in the current degu-station. The new cage will be build in two parts. The first will hopefully be built this October, while the second in November. The plans are complete and I will be shopping for the materials next weekend. The new cage will measure 140x70x180 cm and will hold 4 levels measuring approx. 140x55 cm. The new cage will differ quite a bit from the previous three cages I have built so far. It will be a mix of the model I have right now and some of the cages seen on Deguforum.de (notably Maravilla's cage). The bottom part of the cage will measure 140x70x100 cm while the top part 140x70x80 cm. The bottom part of the cage will feature the typical sliding glass door system, while the top part of the cage will hold two wooden framed mesh doors. The near complete levels will allow me to furnish the cage with many branches, logs and accessories without using up all the floor space. It will give me more room to experiment different setups and hopefully adopt another pair of degu girls. I am very anxious to start building this new enclosure...but I am even more anxious to set it up and watch the degus explore their new home. Of course photos will be taken during the building process (something which I have neglected doing during the previous cage buildings) and updates will be posted regularly. Lots of fun times ahead... That is all for now Jordan
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Post by smithomatic on Oct 5, 2011 9:43:49 GMT
Excellent news Jordan, I'm always excited to see your new cages!
Smithomatic
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Post by Deleted on Oct 5, 2011 17:13:53 GMT
Your new design looks great, looking forward to seeing photos of the building process
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Oct 11, 2011 0:52:35 GMT
Journal entry: 7I had the day off work today, so had the opportunity to spend some time outdoors. With autumn settling in and winter approaching, we must hurry to collect as much as we can. I am hoping to create a reserve for the winter. My hunt for plants, grasses and flowers went very well today. I went through some forest trails and was able to collect a variety of plants that will be used in the degu diet. So far I have collected loads of dandelion (flowers, leaves and roots), various field grasses, lots of large plantains (leaves, roots, seeds), strawberry leaves, blackberry leaves, clover and luzerne. I also collected some birch leaves, a few other leaves that changed colour, marguerites and a few other types of flowers. I have amassed a really large supply all these plants and have spent a few hours cleaning and seperating them. I am hoping the plants, the flowers, the various kitchen herbs and vegetables, accompanied by the seed mixes will provide a more varried and healthy diet for the degus. I still have lots of work to do sorting all the plants out, but so far was able to clean out a nice portion. Here are some photos of the bounty I brought back home with me As you can see...still lots of work to do ;D I am anxious to get all this dried up and mixed up. Hopefully the degus will enjoy their new mix. Many thanks to Fred, Davx, Maravilla and Apology72 for the inspiration ! More to come soon.
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Post by fred on Oct 11, 2011 9:08:39 GMT
This really is a bounty ;D I am soo jealous, and determined to get seriously into collecting in spring! I am sure your girls will be over the moon
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 11, 2011 14:50:02 GMT
It looks great, doesn't it?? WOW!! I am seriously impressed with all that you found, Nightwish. You must have had a clear idea of what you were looking for. Did you find yourself recognising things you hadn't known before . . . with all the new data that has poured into the forum of late? I can well imagine that you have a fair bit of work ahead of you, getting those clean, dried, and packaged in whatever manner you choose.
Can I ask what may seem like a truly simple (if not stupid) question? What are the plantain plants you have mentioned? When I think of plantains, I think of the banana type fruit that is very bland and used like a potato in several warm climates. I really don't think that is what you are finding and using though, LOL! Do you mind clarifying this confusion for me? Thanks!
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Post by Kat on Oct 11, 2011 16:09:56 GMT
Our Plantain is a small weed usually found on grassy areas next to paths. Kat X
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Oct 12, 2011 1:14:34 GMT
@ Faith When I first heard the name, I also though of the plantains that look like bananas ;D Plantain is very common and usually grows with dandelions. Usually the specimen will be small, but you can also find some very large ones. Here is a photo:
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Post by deguconvert on Oct 13, 2011 15:22:32 GMT
Hmmm! It looks kind of familiar . . . but I honestly can't say whether I've seen it around here, or in other places we've traveled. I'll have to keep an eye open for it! Thanks guys!
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Post by davx on Oct 14, 2011 21:59:24 GMT
Good work Jordan. It looks fine . Btw. the yellow flowers are Rudbeckia?
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Oct 15, 2011 0:53:10 GMT
Thanks David ! Your posts and videos have been very inspiring. As for the flowers you could be right, although I thought they were 'des marguerites jaunes'.
Is Rudbeckia safe ?...I would not risk giving the degus something which may be unsafe.
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Post by malteser60 on Nov 2, 2011 23:32:16 GMT
Jordan, wanted to ask you a question about building cages. So, I have priced up material for my new cage but am unsure as to how to proceed with the building. So, with putting together the shell of the cage (i.e. the outer plywood box) did you fix the plywood to each other or did you make a frame and fix the plywood to the frame?
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Post by davx on Nov 5, 2011 7:45:58 GMT
Yes Rudbeckia is safe. But there are flowers more popular than Rudbeckia flowers and the leaves seems to be ignored. I guess they are to "hard", becuause of a high amount of indigestible fibres. With "marguerites jaunes" you mean this flower? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CoreopsisHere are some photos and information about Rudbeckia in German. We have tested them for degus and chinchillas: www.degupedia.de/wiki/index.php/Rudbeckia
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Post by Maravilla on Nov 5, 2011 8:28:55 GMT
@ malteser60, I am not Jordan, but this thread gives you an impression on how we did it. Maybe it helps a little bit.
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Dec 7, 2011 6:02:26 GMT
Jordan, wanted to ask you a question about building cages. So, I have priced up material for my new cage but am unsure as to how to proceed with the building. So, with putting together the shell of the cage (i.e. the outer plywood box) did you fix the plywood to each other or did you make a frame and fix the plywood to the frame? Oh my ! Just saw your question Alexia. Maravilla's link is great by the way, do check it if you have not yet done so. To answer your question, I did not use a frame when I build my last cage two years ago. The wood was glued and nailed together with a nailgun. I am about to embark on a new cage building project, and I am currently exploring different options for cage layout. These are fun times for me as well
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Post by NightwishRaven999 on Jan 18, 2012 23:04:41 GMT
Journal Entry: 8Although I have not been active on the web lately, I have been very busy trying different types of foods and accessories for the degus and their enclosure. One of the best parts of degu keeping for me, is to try and make the cage setup look good. Those of you who are devoted aquarists, aquascapers or gardeners should understand well. This may seem selfish, but I do get a lot of enjoyment from simply landscaping the cage. Over the past few months I have been especially motivated to build something bigger and more spacious...which would give the degus more room and allow me to try my hand at caring for a larger setup. Those of you who are fond of interior decorating, no doubt like to look at house and home decoration catalogues. The same as gardeners become inspired by going into large community gardens. Zoo enclosures are also a great place for inspiration when it comes to arranging/creating a setup for our pets. I admit...I am an addict of beautiful cage setups. I can spend large amounts of time browsing through google.de to find some of those hidden gems...for me those photos are precious. In my latest setup, I have tried a mix of field grasses, meadow and timothy hay. Several kilograms of dust extracted Aspen bedding (for snakes) and some recycled paper/carton based bedding. I find it amazing how mere rocks and stones can make a difference in creating a beautiful setup. A rock is not usually pretty, but when placed together in tight clusters, it can create a very lovely and natural looking effect. Creating relief with the substrate (much like in a garden or an aquarium) can make certain things stand out and also makes it interesting for the degus. The degus choose the relief they wish by digging and pushing bedding around, but with the use of stones, rocks, logs and other items, one can create small slopes, pits and interesting terrain. There are far more important things that worrying about the looks of a cage setup (such as diet and actual running space in the cage)...but when going about the cage cleaning, there is nothing to stop us from using our imagination/artistic talents to create something lovely. I want to share this with you. A few photos of my latest cage setup. We already have some fantastic cage setup photos in this community. I hope to see some more lovely photos of your own cage setup the next time I browse through the forum photos
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2012 16:38:20 GMT
Your new setup looks lovely, and very aesthetically pleasing I really want to do something similar in the new cage once it's finished. Is that bathing sand in the hollowed out tree stump?
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