Before acquiring degu, everything necessary should be prepared to create favorable conditions for its existence. Although this animal is small in size, it needs a lot of space for a comfortable life. Degu likes to explore his spacious home, move a lot and play. Industrial enclosures are expensive. Therefore, the best option would be a do-it-yourself cage for degu.
Materials and cell sizes for degu
Cell manufacturing should be approached responsibly, taking into account all the needs and preferences of degu.
Materials for the enclosure should be strong and safe, because rodents will try them on the tooth. It is allowed to use aluminum, lining, galvanized wire mesh or plexiglass. It is strictly forbidden to make aviary elements from fiberboard, particleboard and other materials containing glue, varnish or sealants. After all, a rodent can be poisoned.
The optimal cell size for degu is 120x100x60 cm. From two to five individuals can comfortably exist on such an area. Keeping these animals alone is not recommended, because the animals painfully endure this condition.
Making wire cage
How to make a cell for degu do it yourself? First you need to assemble the frame of the aviary, using any bars of dry non-resinous wood.
Next, the back wall should be trimmed with a lining, fitting fragments tightly to each other to avoid gaps. For fastening, it is better to use screws.
In the same way you should arrange the floor. It should be a flat, solid surface, not a grill.
The side walls and the top of the cage must be closed with a galvanized wire mesh with a mesh size of no more than 2x2 cm. A door should be installed in a convenient place, which should be locked with a lock or carbine. Otherwise, the pets will quickly learn how to open it.
Another housing option is a glass cage for degu, a photo of which can be seen below. The following is a description of the manufacture of such a structure.
The manufacture of display cases
How to make a degu cage in the form of a showcase? This process is similar to making a traditional wire cage. The showcase is characterized in that the front wall and the side parts are not made of mesh, but of glass. The frame and the back side of the display case are made in the same way as the similar parts of a traditional aviary. The side walls are partially covered with a galvanized mesh, and the rest should be glazed. The front side of the structure resembles a sideboard - two doors with a lock. They are made of glass.
The advantage of such a display case is that sawdust and wood pellets do not fly around the apartment. It is also much more convenient to monitor pets through glass than through wire mesh.
Shelf making
Shelves are another essential element that a wire cage for degu and a display case should be equipped with. They should be made from safe materials. Plywood or wood is good. However, such shelves absorb moisture, and over time there is an unpleasant odor. Therefore, wooden partitions must be disinfected during operation and replaced with new ones approximately twice a year. It is unacceptable to use metal lattice shelves, because from them degu form on the legs of corns.
These animals like tiered dwellings. Shelves are used to achieve this particular effect. They must be well fixed. Shelves should be positioned in such a way as to completely eliminate the likelihood of rodents falling from a great height.
A spacious cage for degu cannot provide them with an absolutely comfortable and joyful existence. The competent aviary equipment also plays a large role in this. Proper arrangement of the cage for degu will give your pets a good mood. The following is a description of the items for the equipment.
House or Shelter
Although degu have an outgoing character, they still need shelter, where you can relax or temporarily hide from prying eyes. The optimal size of the house for a couple of degu is 12x20x15 cm. It should be made of coniferous wood. The bitter taste of such material, safe for rodents, will serve as a protection for the house from the sharp teeth of these animals.
Also, clay pots, vases or other ceramic products on which there is no paint or varnish can act as shelters.
Sand for swimming
Degas feel the need to regularly take baths of sand to cleanse fur from sebum and to get rid of excess moisture. Capacity can be used any. It is recommended to put the bathing in a cage daily, but you can reduce the number of such baths to two to three per week. The container should not be constantly kept in the aviary, because it will quickly fill up with garbage, and degu will use it as a toilet.
Plain sand is not suitable for these animals. He is too rude for them and can injure their delicate skin. Therefore, you should purchase a special mixture for bathing chinchillas at the pet store.
Wheel
A cage for degu should be equipped with a wheel, which animals love to twist. It is better to make such a design from metal or organic glass. You can sheathe the wheel with cloth to make the rodent's legs more comfortable. It will also prevent the formation of corns.
The main condition in the design of the wheel is the integrity of the treadmill. If gaps or crevices are present, a degu tail can get there, and this will result in injury.
The size of the wheel for the animals must be at least 20 centimeters in diameter.
Hammock
Degu is a daily life. But after the fun games they want to relax a bit. The animals prefer to spend the half-sleep period in an open place, and not in a house. A hammock is perfect for this.
To make such a crib, you need to use a coarse, dense natural fabric that does not contain synthetic fibers that get stuck in the teeth of degus and injure the gums.
The hammock is best hung in the upper corner of the cage. The approach to it can be performed using a pipe with a diameter of at least 10 centimeters. The bed needs to be firmly fixed, because degu like a joint rest.
The hammock, like all other elements of the arrangement, not made of metal, the animals will try on the tooth. Therefore, the crib will periodically need to be replaced with a new one.
Other elements of arrangement
When creating a cage for degu, their innate needs should be considered. If the rodent is not able to grind its teeth, then they will grow quickly and deliver unpleasant sensations to the animal. Therefore, large stones or tree branches must be present in the aviary, which degu will nibble on. The animals will especially like the natural branches of pear, chestnut, ash or willow. It is not necessary to remove the bark from the branches.
Rodents like the dark and narrow space. Various pipes and tunnels can be equipped with a degu cage. With your own hands you can make a manhole from a metal corrugation for the duct. To avoid injuries, the edges of the pipe must be treated.
As a litter in a cage, wood chips, white paper, pressed corn cobs can be used.
On the side surface of the cage you need to place drip drinkers with clean water and several feeders. These items must be made of metal or glass. Plastic should not be used.
All elements of the arrangement of the cell brought from the street must be taken from places located at least one kilometer from the roadway. These items must be thoroughly washed and rinsed with boiling water for disinfection.
Conclusion
In the manufacture of cages for degus and elements of its arrangement should be guided by the needs and preferences of rodents. The more interesting fixtures will be located in the aviary, the more fun your pets will have. The main thing is not to overdo it. After all, degu love space, they need a place for maneuvers and jumps. You should also pay special attention to the safety of all elements of the dwelling of animals. All edges and sharp corners need to be machined, and moving structures must be securely fastened.