My current idea

[jbaggs92]

Hey guys, this is my current idea for a degu cage. I assume there will be many adjustments to it in the future. Can y'all maybe give me some advice, as this is the first cage I will be building. I've built several boxes for subs and such, but never an animal cage. Well, I hope you like it!

[NightwishRaven999]

Hello James ! Hope you are well.
I am very pleased to see you plan on building an enclosure for your pet degus. I am also very glad to see your plan/sketch and most importantly your willingness to accept advice.

Here are some of the things you will need to work out in your next sketch.

Cage size; keep in mind degus are ground dwelling animals that value surface area (running space) far more than climbing opportunities. As a recommended minimum the cage base should be around 100x50 cm for two or three degus.
I am not sure what size cage you plan on building, but I thought it important to mention.
(Approx. recommended min size; 100x50x100 cm)

The first thing that strikes me in your plan is the waste of valuable space. One reason why so many people build cages for their degus is to provide them with large, roomy enclosures.
The best way to give your degus the space they need is to use the cage height to add levels.

Not small ledges...but actual complete (full) levels. In a 1 meter tall cage, it is quite simple to add two full levels.

In your sketch the cage base would be the only true running space available to the degus.
By adding these large levels, you will multiply their running/living space...something which is vital.

It is very important you keep this in mind for your next planning.
There is no point in building a cage if it is not going to be used to the full.


Next would be the lack of a base.
In your sketch there is no sign of a base that could hold bedding or hay. Each time you open the cage door(s), bedding would spill out all over the floor. The base of the cage needs to be deep enough to accomodate a generous amount of bedding.
Bedding not only absorbs urine and odours, but it will also protect the wood for urine stains.

Thin strips of Kiln dried pine should also be nailed to the outer edge of the levels for the same reasons.

I am guessing you plan on using wire mesh for the front doors of the cage. If so, you will find a deep cage base to be vital...without a base, the degus will throw food, bedding and hay through the mesh.


These are some of the things to think about.
Here are two sketches some have found useful.
This will give you a good idea of the basic construct of the degu cage/enclosure.






Hope this helps and keep up the good work !
Looking forward to hearing more about your project !

Jordan

[jbaggs92]

Thanks so much for the advice! The cage height a width is 4 feet, and the depth is 3 feet. I'm definitely going to add a base, and I didn't even think about how opening the door would get bedding all over the place. I'm also going to do something about that. I think because I made such a tall structure (4 feet is 120cm roughly) I'm going to add a level that is completely flat. the whole level. Plenty of running space. I also need to make room for a wheel and water and food. That little place on top of the hut thing is going to be caged in and I'm going to be filling it with Timothy Hay or something that all of the little degus can have fun getting out of it. I wanted to make a tower they could climb on and stuff. That Google SketchUp is just a little difficult to work with... Well, I'll post another picture after I do some more work on it.

[NightwishRaven999]

Looking forward to seeing this updated plan !
This sounds like a great project, especially since you are striving for such a large cage.
The cage base would be good at 15-20 cm...this allows for enough layering on the bottom.

Keep us up to date !

[Kins]

Well I don't need to add much more. Some really great advice there from NWR, good plan to come and ask here for any hints and tips on how to improve your design. You've got a good starting base though anyway.

Definitely keeps us posted with your plans, we all love being nosey when other members are making their own cages.

The only other thing I would say is to think carefully about what you choose to make the doors from. On one of my cages I have wire mesh doors and on the other I have perspex. The wire mesh is nice as you can say hello to the goos through the bars BUT it means they can kick all their substrate and poo out AND chew the mesh. Perspex looks nice and keeps the mess in but it can be harder to interact with the goos PLUS it scratches very easily. And of course, if you use perspex you will need more ventilation on the roof and sides...

[degualot]

I can't use that Google, sketch, it's handy for designing things, but the porgram is hard to handle.