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Breeding Degus
After you've owned your Degus for a while, you may become interested in breeding them. However, before you get started with that, there are many things to consider. The first consideration is money. You will not make money from breeding Degus. In fact, in most cases, it will cost you money. The general rule is that if you cannot afford to have a male neutered, you cannot afford the cost associated with breeding either.
With that said, let's look at the basics. First, your Degus will want to make a nest for their babies. It is up to you to provide the appropriate materials. These include a nesting box, strips of cloth and paper, hay and sticks. The cage should not have large openings that the tiny babies will fall through. Aquariums are ideal, as they are solid.
Next, you need a healthy male, and a healthy female…unfortunately, that male and female should know each other from the time that they are very young for the best results, and they should not be related. In most cases, Degus mate for life, but one male may mate with three or four females – for life.
The gestation period for Degus is 90 days. The litter can consist of anywhere between one and ten babies, with the average being five. There is no specific breeding time during the year. Pregnant females should be handled as little as possible, and should be kept from stress, as these animals miscarry easily.
When the babies are born, you need to be present. It isn't uncommon for a c-section to be required, and for this reason, you need a veterinarian lined up, and you need to be sure that he will see your Degu during off hours.
Babies look like miniature adults. They are born with teeth and fur, and their eyes are already open. They should remain with their mother and their father until they are six weeks of age; however females should be kept separate from their father when they are about a month old, as he will most likely try to mate with them.
Furthermore, the father needs to be separated from the mother for about 24 hours after she gives birth, because during this time period, she can easily get pregnant again. After this, however, the male should be returned to the cage, because he will actually help to care for the babies.
While Degus can mate as early as two months of age, ideally, you should wait to breed them until they are at least six months old. You should also make sure that you have homes lined up for the babies, before they are ever conceived. If baby Degus are not what you want, you must not put males and females together, or you must have your males neutered.
Degu information,Degu tips, Degu advice,pets,Degu pet
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