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Post by Vicky on Apr 25, 2007 15:23:32 GMT -8
I went into Lincoln this afternoon and ended up in pets at home. I went in to get some horse feed but happened to walk past 2 active little critters in a cage. but realised that they were in fact degus  they wanted £45 for a pair - i know, i shouldnt get them from p@h but i dunno where else i could get them. I think my dad was gunna buy me them but because i said I didnt know much about them, i think he changed his mind. I would love to have a pair of degus cause they look like so much fun to play with ;D I'd really like some but i think I have my hands full with 2 horses and cookie =[ but one day maybe. Are they like keeping gerbils and are they as fun as they look? anyone know any good sites I can read? I wanna get clued up on them in case i decide to get some sooner than i plan. |
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Post by ohmylokix on Apr 25, 2007 15:46:28 GMT -8
Degus are a little more tricky to keep and need a LOT more space. Like, a LOOOT. I know that they get diabetes at a drop of the hat.
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Post by Vicky on Apr 25, 2007 16:23:59 GMT -8
eck.. diabetes  the space thing is no problem, i can give them tonnes of space and lots of cuddles and 'playpen' time ;D |
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Post by caitlindawn on Apr 25, 2007 16:59:19 GMT -8
Yeah, their diet and caging are the hardest of them. There's a few of us on here that have degus (I myself have 8 at the moment). They need a premium degu feed or chinchilla (ours get mazuri chinchilla food) and tons of timothy hay. best cage for them would the ones they sell for chinchillas, but are really too small. Lots of levels, as they are climbers (not burrowers). They need quality dust baths every couple of days. And you will definitely want to know a vet that is familiar with degus, as their health problems are specific to their species.
Oh, and they aren't related to gerbils atall (rather to chinchillas, and distant to guinea pigs). So perhaps a mod could move this to Other Animal Species, rather than this thread.
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Post by peggy on Apr 26, 2007 6:40:17 GMT -8
Concering feeding: degus require a lot of quality hay, daily herbs or vegetables and some seed mix - no more than one teaspoon daily. Good, but not necessary are chinchilla pellets too.
Yes, they need a lot of space, I think that minimum for 2-3 degus is 100x50x100 cm cage.
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Post by caitlindawn on Apr 26, 2007 8:21:01 GMT -8
I'd avoid any veggies or seed mix except for the occasional for treats. Quality degu or chin pellets will have all the nutrients they need. In the wild, their diets have extremely low levels of sugars/carbohydrates as well as little fat. Hence, they don't tend to do well when these sorts of nutrients are added to their diet. We have our degu/chinchilla rescue and lots have come through with health issues do to an improper diet. In fact, I'd say it's our biggest problem. So, like I said, I'd stick to a super premium pellet and tons of timothy hay.
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Post by Vicky on Apr 26, 2007 12:06:46 GMT -8
thanks guys much appreciated. erm this hay business. my horses get fed hay in the winter and we usually have some left over at the end, is this okay to feed them? i've given cookie a few handfuls before and he seems to like it so yeah. I did a bit of a earch on google late last night and it said you could keep them in a tank with a gerbilarium on the top. cause they like to dig or something? is this right? all this talk of them makes me wanna get them this weekend but i know id struggle giving all the animals fuss time |
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Post by ohmylokix on Apr 26, 2007 12:57:16 GMT -8
No, they don't like to dig. they like looots of levels. In the US you can get these absolutely GIGANTIC add-a-level cages.
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Post by caitlindawn on Apr 26, 2007 14:13:05 GMT -8
Yeah, I'd avoid them in tanks. They need air going through constantly, as they can easily overheat (not a desert animal). As far as hay goes, I'd reccomend just buying a quality timothy hay. The hay for horses isn't quite as clean and safe for degus. Timothy is the best quality and cut for them, and the packaged stuff SHOULD be free of mites and other parasites that farm hay can have.
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Post by Vicky on Apr 26, 2007 14:42:43 GMT -8
ohhh well in this pic i saw, there were like 2 degus in a tank with the gebilarium on the top =/
are there any good books about them i can buy and use for bedtime reading ;]] something that i can have for reference come the day i get some
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Post by gerbilsalldaway on May 6, 2007 11:05:50 GMT -8
I keep mine ina large indoor rabbit hutch. I have 5, 1 breedingpair and 2 females with 1 male. I feed timothy hay, dried grass, small amounts of carrot and Charlie Chinchilla food. I was feeding rabbit food but now 1 male and 1 female have cataracts - a tragic sign of diabetes. Be wary of cabbage, lettuce, apple or any other fruit or vegetable except carrot. Raisins are beloved so make a brilliant treat. Tell me if you get some!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Post by gerbilbuddy on May 7, 2007 13:56:07 GMT -8
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Post by peggy on May 8, 2007 4:01:18 GMT -8
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Post by vacampbell on May 8, 2007 8:40:56 GMT -8
WOW they are absolutely amazing!!! I am inspired!!! it looks like they have used bookshelves and things like that for the main structure they are incredible  I want them!!!
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Post by felix on May 9, 2007 3:19:26 GMT -8
there are always many degus in rescue centres. especially lately since 150 were rescued from a place in London last month.
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I want them!!!
