We had 15 degus in all- three cages, one with two males, (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LARGE-RAT-CHIPMUNK-DEGU-PET-CAGE-28X13X36-SHELVES-ETC_W0QQitemZ300273330128QQ cmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Small_Animals?hash=item300273330128&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms= 72%3A1296%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318) one with a male and two females (he was beaten and outsed by the other males http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-FLOOR-CHINCHILLA-FERRET-RAT-CHIPMUNK-DEGU-CAGE-B-NEW_W0QQitemZ350135321138QQ cmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Small_Animals?hash=item350135321138&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms= 72%3A1296%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318) and a larger cage with ten females. (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Blue-Green-Wire-Wheeled-Chinchilla-Rat-Degu-Cage-LARGE_W0QQitemZ200281256517Q QcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Pet_Supplies_Small_Animals?hash=item200281256517&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms =72%3A1296%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318)
One of the females was looking peaky the other day. We made sure she was eating and warm, but she died yesterday. I've just been to feed the ladies to find another dead, and badly beaten, and another with large scabby scrapes all up her back. Otherwise, the others seem happy.
When the boys chuucked Felix out, they bit his leg so badly, he needed stitches. In years of keeping degus, I've never seen such awful behaviour.
I've taken out the wounded female, and out her in a hayed up cat basket with some food and water... what can be causing this?! Could it be the upset of a dead comrade? Do you think it might have thrown the hierachy out? Could it be that the females were overcrowded? They've lived like that for nearly a year- there are plenty of nest boxes, and food and water always available...
Please help!
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I am the loving pet of three cats, two chickens, a house rabbit, a gerbil, eight degus (and their rather unexpected offspring!) |
