Skip to main content

DIY Flying Saucer Wheel Version 1

If you've been following my experiences as a degu owner you'll know that my girls decided to destroy their exercise wheels. I was incredibly lucky to even get the 6 months that they lasted.

For over a week the goos had no wheels while I scoured high and low for cake tins and other suitable metal components so I could make them a new indestructible wheel. During that time they went stir crazy! They turned to major destruction and became three little hoodlums. They were already a trio of destucta-goos but they became 3x worse.

Claudia started pinging the mesh on the doors and learnt how to climb on top of the cage. When your cage is over 6 feet tall and you're only 5 feet it starts getting old very quickly. Mrs F and Myka started chewing everything within reach and I thought I was going to have to clad every exposed edge in metal.

Spare time is hard to find these days but luckily, I've managed to Frankenstein together a temporary flying saucer from one of their defunct wheels until I can get to the market to hunt for metal tins or old cymbals.

To turn your degu's destroyed wooden wheel in to a temporary flying saucer is quite easy. I've used a Karlie Wonderland wheel but this method should be easy to apply to other brands.

  • Step 1: Trim what was once the running surface down to get rid of jaggies. Leave an inch or so because you're going to need something for them to chew until you can replace it with a metal version.
  • Step 2: Cut the wheel from the stand by carefully sawing the vertical back support just below the spinning mechanism. Refer to diagram below.
  • Step 3: Get some off-cuts of safe wood (I had some left over from the cage build.)
  • Step 4: Position your wheel horizontally on the stand so that the top of back support (where you made your cut) just touches the back of the wheel. This acts as soft brakes to stop it spinning out of control. The part with the spinning mechanism needs to be on the front side of the vertical support and positioned over the base. You don't want it on the back as it will be over balanced.
  • Step 5: Measure the gap between the base and wheel and cut a piece of wood to size. Then screw it in to position through the underside of the base. You'll need to drill pilot holes first and make sure it's central to the back support.
    • Step 6: Sit the wheel on top of the wood you've just attached and screw through from the backside of the back support to secure it.
  • Step 7: Get some wooden wedges and attach them to the base. You don't want too steep an angle, just enough to allow the wheel to shift when the degus get on.

That's pretty much it. It'll need to be fine tuned so that it doesn't spin out of control but it's good enough to see them through until I get the metal version sorted. It only took them about 5 minutes to figure it out and all three of them have worked out how to run on it together in a triangle formation. Need to see if I can get a video of them doing it.

It's not silent and makes a bit of noise but it'll do for now. Hopefully I'll find something at the market on Friday. Wish me luck!

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Degus Have Moved In

This morning 3 little degus became the newest members of my family and they're the 3 cutest girls ever! I was up until midnight filling and dressing their cage ready for them to move in and they are loving it. 2 of them still think that there are only 2 floors and not 4, and all 3 have spent most of the day running in their wheel. Just before I settled down to write this they were all in a 'goo pile' on top of their cabin. It's a little dark in the room for a decent photo and I don't want to use the flash so I'll have to wait until there's a little more light to get a photo of them huddled together. They are all still a little flighty and scared of the camera but I managed to get a few decent photos of them. Don't have any names yet as I'm waiting to see what kind of personalities they have. My brother wants to call them Penny, Amy, and Bernadette… The Big Degu Theory! UPDATE — Here's a little video my brother recorded. :)
Post a Comment
Read more

The Big Degu Cage Build - Part Four

The cage is progressing nicely. The bottom section is almost complete. Still have the vinyl tiles (for extra protection against pee) to put in, one level to cut and attach, and some small platforms which will help form a ramp up to the top section of the cage. I have a deep 30cm mess guard which will form the basis of a makeshift digging pit and landscaped area. There will be one level and you can see the hole for access to floor 2 which will be in the top section. It was supposed to be in the back but it was going to be a nightmare to do because of the build being in 2 parts so it can be taken apart for easier moving. This means that I now have to rethink my first level. It was going to be set back slightly from the front but I may have to bring it closer to eliminate the massive drop and reduce injury should there be a fall. I'm going to have a look at some other DIY cages for some ideas but the main priority tomorrow is to get the main construction of the top section comp...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Make a Fresh Herb Degu Eatery

My 3 degu girls absolutely love eating fresh herbs. Mint, basil, and chives are their favourites and chives seems to be the one they like the most. I've been thinking of ways to enrich their environment so while I was eating my birthday breakfast this morning I set about making what I like to call the Fresh Herb Degu Eatery. A portable herb garden that can be put in their play area for them to nibble on. To make the Fresh Herb Degu Eatery you will need: An empty 2 litre ice cream tub and lid. Wire mesh with holes approx. 13mm Wire cutters Thin wire Pliers Craft Knife Thick Needle Scissors Fresh herbs or herb seeds of your choice Soil or compost It takes approximately an hour to make and can be used straight away with fresh herbs. Of course, if you decided to plant seeds you will have to wait until they have grown. Let's get started… Step 1 — Prepare the Lid & Mesh The first thing you need to do is cut a hole in the ice cream tub lid. I used a c...
Post a Comment
Read more