How to Build a Chinchilla/Degu Cage !

[NightwishRaven999]

Hello ! I just though I should share this with you.
I have many videos on the matter of cage building on Youtube, and after seeing the amount of interest in these projects, I decided to make my own webpage on the matter.

Here it is !
http://octodondegus.weebly.com/

Originally I had made this webpage for degus, but many people have pointed out to me that this has been really helpful to them in building cages for their chinchillas.
Since degus and chinchillas have similar housing needs/requirements...this website would prove helpful to those of you seeking to undertake a cage building project for your chins.

This looks like a fun and friendly place...anxious to get to know all of you 

[flynhawaiian]

What did you use for the branches, I've always wanted to put a branch in our cage, I think they would love sitting on them!

[NightwishRaven999]

I use birch tree branches in the degu cage.
I dont know if this is safe for chinchillas, but when I had my chin...he seemed to love the apple tree branches I had inside the cage

Not sure if birch is safe for chins...will have to look into this later.

[chinclub]

Those are beautiful cages.  At first glance I was concerned about the cage heating up inside but I like the vents you can see in the sides in lower pictures.  I would caution chinchilla owners to be sure to use lights that give off no heat and to place a thermometer in the cage for 24 hours with the lights on, before the chinchilla. (Keep in mind body heat will heat the cage some too).  Perhaps even adjusting the design to have Plexiglas on the bottom half to keep in pine and wire on the top half to release heat.

Thanks for sharing the link with us.  Your degus look very happy.

[NightwishRaven999]

@ Chinchlub
Thanks for your input. I know degus and chinchillas cannot sweat, so they are untolerant of heat.
In the "Can I use lighting in the cage ?" section I wrote "* If you do decide to use a small heat lamp, it is imperitive that you closely monitor the temperature.
Ideally, the cage temperature should not surpass 20 C."

Installing a thermometer is a great idea ! I keep my room temperature at 17-18 C (with the help of an A/C during summer )
I use a few small heat lamps since the degus love to nap under heat sources like this. The heat lamps only provide a small amount of heat, all they do is warm of the one the cage levels, while the rest of the cage is quite cool.

The cage tops are open with grill or wire mesh for air circulations.

Under the subheading "where should the cage be located ?" I make a few points about air circulation..."Keeping in mind that degus cannot sweat, and are not tolerant of heat and humidity, the cage should be located in a cool, well ventilated area of the house. The ideal temperature to house degus is between 17 C and 20 C. The room temperature should never reach 25 C.
Since a wooden cage is a "closed system" compared to a wire/metal cage, you want to keep the cage in a well ventilated area of the house. Even a ceiling fan running on the lowest setting will help ensure adequate air circulation inside the cage."
Also keep in mind with a cage like this, you need to open the doors several times a day, to get to the food, to the water, to give treats or to pet them.
I used to get away with petting my chinchilla and degus through the cage bars, but after I built my first cage, I found myself opening it every few minutes 

I will take your advice and place more stress on these matters for those wanting to build such a cage for their chinchillas.
Thanks again !

[z168]

Here it is !
http://octodondegus.weebly.com/

This looks like a fun and friendly place...anxious to get to know all of you 

bookmarked. awesome site