Breeding Degu
Degus have a long gestation at 86-93 days and an average litter size is 6, although this can range from 2-12. Degu pups are born quite developed, with full fur and open eyes and so are able to explore within a few hours of birth. Male degu help raise the young, so can be left in with the female although it is recommended to remove him for the four days post birth to prevent him mating with the female straight away. Pups are weaned at 4-6 weeks which is when they need separating out since female degu can become sexually active as young as 7 weeks of age. Male degu become sexually mature at around 12 weeks.
Degu Behaviour
Degu are full of energy and curiosity. They need plenty of space and items to explore. A solid-based metal wheel is essential to keep them occupied. Burrowing is another favourite activity, so it's good to have extra space allowed for this. A dust bath can help them to clean themselves. In hotter months, you can place the sand in the fridge to cool off before adding to the dish.
Although naturally diurnal, your Degu may adapt to your own routines and will also be matching their activity to the temperatures around them - in hot days, they will be more active in the early morning and evening when it is cooler.
Degu are very intelligent and social animals, they can learn their names and some voice commands. They can be extremely destructive and get bored easily, needing plenty of enrichment offering opportunities to chew, burrow and find hidden food items. A stressed or bored Degu may begin to pull out their fur, this can also be a sign that they are in a cage that is too small for them.
Degus are extremely vocal. They will squeak and bark, to each other and to get your attention. They also beat and drum their tail. The urgency and body posture will help you learn what sounds mean excitement, happiness fear or aggression. Chittering sounds to each other may form part of play-fighting, more serious fighting involves deeper grunts and should be investigated. Degu can fight for dominance, over items, and males over females.
Handling Degu
Degu are very friendly and curious pets, although they can be extremely skittish if they have not had much contact with humans. Like many pets they love routine, so taking the opportunity to talk to them in a calm, quiet voice as you feed them will get them used to your presence. They can be very food driven, so hand-feeding favourite treats can be a good way to get them associate you with positive things.
Let your Degu come to you, and don't chase them round the cage. You can begin by rewarding them with small treats for placing their front paws on your hand and build up to rewarding them when they are fully stood upon your hand. Then you can pick them up, keeping them sheltered, as many Degu will want to jump from you regardless of height.
Degu are highly intelligent and can be trained, through toilet-tube training to let them be picked up, and becoming used to the sound of your voice and some commands.
Regular, short sessions of handling are best. Degu may enjoy free-roaming but are very destructive, so ensure you do this in a safe space where you do not mind if furnishings or skirting boards are chewed. To recapture, you may need to be very patient to allow them to come back to you.
Degu Environment
Degu must be kept in a metal or wooden cage. A large parrot, rat or ferret cage can be ideal. Wire floors must be covered since degus can develop a painful condition called bumblefoot as a result of wire floors; floor can be covered these with cardboard or similar material to prevent bumblefoot.
Degu need to be kept in a room free of drafts, with natural light cycles but outside of direct sunlight, and a steady temperature that does not exceed 20°
Cage size
Since degu can be kept happily in groups, the size of the cage does depend on the number of animals within. Degu are extremely active, so a minimum of 100cm x 50cm with multiple levels is a good minimum for a pair. Bar spacing should not exceed 2cm to avoid the risk of escapees.
Substrate and bedding
Sawdust, or anything pine or cedar based should not be used since it can affect the lungs of rodents and cause respiratory problems. Items such as Carefresh are quite good and absorbent, whilst still allowing space for burrowing. A cheaper alternative for this is to get a horse bedding such as MegaZorb.Other suitable substrates include Ectopetbed, Bedmax, bedexcel and finacard.
Your degu will also need a suitable nesting materials, such as shredded paper.
Toys and Nests
Pet Wooden ledges, hammocks, tubes and ropes make good climbing opportunities and enrichment. A large wooden nesting box should be given, with pet-safe bedding or stuffed with hay. You can also provide branches from trees providing you have taken care to check the wood is safe for rodents.
Ceramic tiles are a good addition to your cage, especially during summer. These can be placed in the fridge before adding to the cage.
A sandbath is loved by degu. This can be offered for an hour a day and then removed, or left in permanently. If the latter, you will need to regularly sieve for faeces and clumps.
Your degu must have multiple nest boxes, ones intended for Chinchillas are a good size for them. You can also use large terracotta pots or thick cardboard. Nests will be gnawed upon and will need to be changed frequently.
Wheels
A large, solid based wheel is essential for them to exercise in. This needs to be large enough that they can run without an arched back and make of wood or metal.