Urgent help needed, please

[nykebee]

I bought 2 male Degus 6 weeks ago, Buzz and Woody were brothers purchased together along with a large split level cage with a huge wheel on one side. Buzz was quite aggressive toward Woody and would sit in the food bowl not allowing woody to eat from it so I bought a second bowl and placed it on the upper level of the cage to try and prevent this problem, I also bought a second water bottle to ensure that Woody would always have access to enough food and water. Three weeks ago I was watching their antics and Buzz blatantly kicked Woody off the top level and unfortunately the fall killed him . My children were distraught and, knowing that Degus do not thrive alone, we purchased a third Degu, Slinky. Buzz seemed to get along better with Slinky, they cuddled up together to sleep and fought much less, Two weeks ago I noticed that Buzz was once more preventing his cage mate from eating, kicking him out of the bowl when ever he noticed him eating and blocking his access to water to such an extent that I started to hand feed Slinky to ensure that he was eating well and remained healthy and strong. I have just returned home to find Slinky dead in the exact same position as Woody. Can anyone give me any help? Do I purchase a forth Degu? If I do is he likely to meet the same sticky end as the last 2? I can't bear the thought of having my children go through this again, it breaks my heart to see them so upset but I don't want Buzz to be unhappy living by himself. Please help if you can, many thanks in advance x

[blossombrooks]

Im so sorry to read this, what an awful thing to go through. :-( I wish I knew of a good suggestion to help but I've no experience with males. I know other members will have and hopefully someone will help. I know you said you haven't had buzz long, do you know how old he is?

[nykebee]

Buzz is 12 weeks old, I have a really good relationship with the supplier I got them from so I'm gonna go and have a chat with her tomorrow and see what she recommends. Feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, I know Buzz won't do well alone but it seems wrong to introduce another Degu knowing what might happen! I'd grown very fond of Slinky, probably because I was having to hand feed him so it's particularly heartbreaking to loose him like this. When I first got Slinky I followed the guide here(introducing them on neutral territory etc.) and things seemed to be going well until Buzz started preventing him from feeding, just not sure what to do for the best!

[NightwishRaven999]

I am very sorry to hear of your losses.
Woody must have fallen pretty far to have passed away like this.
May I ask how tall the cage is and if the degus can fall all the way from top to bottom ?

You mentioned having put two seperate food bowls in the cage...usually this works well.
It is normal for degus to squabble over food, especially at the adolescent stage they are going through. It is hard to pin point a specific problem without knowing more details.

[deguconvert]

I am so sorry about all the issues and terrible losses you have been encountering these past six weeks. How very heart breaking it has been for you and your children. An option that occurs to me that you might consider is having him neutered and soon, and then adopting one or two female degus. Hopefully there would be a huge difference in response.

[yasmin]

My sincere condolences for your losses. Poor Woody and Slinky. How horrible for you. My heart goes out to you.

I too am curious: How high from the ground is that top level? I have seen one of my 10-day old degus fall from an upper ledge about a foot off the ground of their cage and land unharmed. (My cages are lined with Carefresh: maybe that breaks their fall?) Any chance that it wasn't the fall that killed them?