A slightly longer than usual post! This is part one of two!
I recently built this enclosure for a client and suffice to say, I am very happy with it! This is my first client based enclosure - and so had to be built to a higher standard than what I would normally strive to achieve for myself or close friends. After the break I will go into: specifications, pros, cons, troubles and successes...
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Just a quick chat before the enclosure is completely finished. Talking about the enclosure specs, functions and materials.
Check after the break for some bonus pictures! Im back! Well, sort of...
I must apologize for my recent absence and lack of updates (I think this is the longest I haven't made a post?)! I have been busy with other projects just recently that I hope to share with the world in the future. These mysterious other projects have kept me busy but alas I have not forgotten you! Slideshow after the break! A vaguely degu related topic today, you will have to bear with me as I swerve to the point. For those wondering, no that is not a degu in the picture above; the animal in the picture is actually called a Potoroo. Potoroos are a small marsupial mammal that fill a similar ecological niche to that of the degu. Head over the break to learn more about these little critters.
In January I posted some pictures of my enclosure and wrote a small piece on maximizing the floor space within an enclosure. You can read that article here. Above is the video footage that was intended to accompany that article. I also recently spoke about the room in which to keep your degus; this video contains brief footage of the room around my enclosure. I hope you enjoy!
When preparing to build an enclosure for your degus, or after completing a cage clean - it can be a good idea to add new themes, new materials and try new layouts. This experimentation is beneficial for the owner as it can allow your enclosure to become a focal point of the room. More importantly, this experimentation is great for the degus; it provides much needed enrichment...
I had been stuck inside all day due to heavy rain; so as soon as the sun peeped out from behind the clouds I made a mad dash outside. While I have been in Australia I have been checking out wildlife parks, sanctuaries and Zoos. I recently went to a sanctuary where customers can feed pellets to the animals. While exploring the park, the subject of ensuring animals are not fed pellets really hit home. I don't want to spend too much time talking about the park here as I will be focusing on it in the near future - however that subject was the catalyst for my thoughts in the video above.
The importance of feeding a healthy natural diet, that is accurately tailored to the needs of the animal is of paramount importance. If you have come to this site from the YouTube video and have yet to visit Degus International I highly recommend you do so. I recently got rid of my old Iphone4 and before I did I was sure to take off all my old pictures / videos / contacts etc... Later, when I scrolled through to see what I had downloaded I found a fair few degu pictures snaps. They are not all of great quality (crappy Iphone cameras) but here are a few of my favorites.
Hope you enjoy! When deciding to purchase or adopt degus, there are many important points to consider - for example:
... and the list goes on. One of the key things to consider is where you are going to home your degus. After the break are pictures of where I keep my degus and things to consider when choosing a location. Before leaving for Australia I created a complete mix to be fed during my absence. I personally feel the mix looks very appetizing, I was very pleased with the results - and guess what, so were the degus! The mix is comprised of the following ingredients: Vegetable matter: dry mashed pea flakes, dry carrot slices, beetroot cubes dried, parsnip cubes dried
Plant matter: rose petals, dry plantain, dry daisy (stems, leaves, flowers), dry dandelion (stems, leaves, flowers), dry birch tree leaves (silver), dry apple tree leaves, dry blackberry leaves, dry clover, dry marigold, milk thistle, dry nettle leaves Herbs: lemon balm, rosemary, thyme, basil, mint, parsley, sage Seeds and pods: popped corn, rose hips, white sunflower seed, black sunflower seed, grass grain, rapeseed, linseed, niger seed, canary seed, sesame seed, quinoa seed, white millet Base: Hay, Straw (Excluding Straw and Hay) The total mix is about - 50% Seed - 6% vegetables - 44% plant matter (Including Straw and Hay) The total mix is about - 30% Hay and Straw - 70% feed mix. Additional "fluffy" hay is provided separately as well as additional hay with birch tree matter (for anti bacterial properties). This additional hay is offered separate to the feed mix once a week in large quantities to forage and dig in. |