Hello Rhiannon ! Welcome to the forum !
If you are on a quest to learn more about degus, you are truly in the right place.
Even though two years may seem like a long time, you are doing well by doing your research now. This is something many of us have benefited from doing.
A good thing about researching in advance; you will have lots of time to take in what you learn and prepare yourself so that you are fully ready to take on degus when the time comes.
You will also have gained a very big head start and this will help you avoid many problems that come with lack of knowledge.
This forum is filled with useful insights and experiences.
I am confident that by browsing the threads, you will learn lots of interesting facts.
Housing: As a general rule, the recommended standard size for a pair or trio of degus is 100x50x100 cm (width x depth x height).
Something you should seriously give thought to during this upcoming year is building a home for your future degus.
This is something MANY degu owners from around the world have benefited from doing.
Here is the link to an article on the matter of degu housing:
octodondegus.weebly.com/You will have lots of time to think about this.
Diet: Yes, you are correct. Timothy hay does consist a large part of the diet. The degu diet however does not only turn around pellets and hay. It should also consist of fresh or dried plants, flowers, herbs, vegetables, grains and seeds.
This is why many degu owners from around the world assemble their own mixes and degu feeds.
I am not sure what food brands are available to you in the USA, but I am sure some members will be able to point you in the right direction.
You will find tons of information on how and what to feed degus in this forum topic.
deguworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=food&action=display&thread=8933You will also find this guide most helpful...it provides basic (but nonetheless important) insight about the degu social life, cage and housing, dietary needs, taming, exercise, cage setup...etc).
octodondegus.weebly.com/ten-steps-to-keeping-happier-and-healthier-degus.htmlHopefully, you will find these three links to be helpful.
There is lots of food for thought there.
Feel free to ask questions...this is the best way of learning !
Our forum motto is something along the lines of "when it comes to degus, no question is silly !"
Again, welcome to the forum !