Hey everyone! This post is aimed at owners who wish to create a more natural setup within their enclosure. Creating a natural setup inside your enclosure will both help to stimulate your degus and looks excellent! Click read more after the break to see what I created last summer...
Step 2 - Accessories The next job is to decide on some accessories for your enclosure. I like to use "Play sticks" of varying sizes. I also use some coconut shells and clay roof tiles. The clay roof tiles have a very natural colour and can be burried under your bedding - making excellent little tunnels and hiding holes for your degus. They are also very durable and easily cleaned. The coconut shells can be chewed and are excellent for hiding treats under. I also use tree bark to create small nesting areas and burrows to hide treats in, these make cosy little hiding areas when its cold. Apple, Willow, Birch, Oak and Pear all have suitable bark for this task. So get looking! Step 3 - Fresh plants and hay Finally, its time to add the fresh branches - possibly the most important part of giving your enclosure a natural edge. I use Oak and Birch trees with the leaves on for my enclosure. Bury the base of the branch into the bedding. I choose pieces that are just bigger than the space, this helps me to wedge them firmly in place between the floor and ceiling. You can also add some larger branches to help your degus move around the enclosure. Don't waste any leaves that fall while installing them in your enclosure, simply scatter them on the floor for added effect. Your degus will love chewing the branches; they will love to rip, tear and eat the leaves too!
My personal preference is fresh hay - light, long strands, fluffy. Once you have added all these elements to your enclosure, you are well on your way to creating a natural setup! I was only able to create this set up during the summer, during the autumn and winter the trees have lost their leaves. You can still supply the branches and twigs with lots of fresh hay. Another thing you can do, either during summer or winter, is plant herbs in your enclosure. Get a clay plant pot filled with soil and your selected herb, cover the top of the pot with mesh (so the degus cannot dig up and destroy the plant), water it, then bury it under your bedding. Plant a few of these around the enclosure and it will look fantastic, not to mention the degus will love it!
The pictures I have showed here are all from the bottom level of my enclosure. I will post more pictures in the future of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors. More to come! Have a great weekend!
5 Comments
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