Mother/daughters or sister group? Which to adopt? - Paw Talk

brandy_m · #1 04-21-2009, 08:03 AM

(I've also posted this on degu rock...not sure which is "busier" and we're trying to make a decision)

A shelter near us has 16 degus! I wanted to adopt a pair and my DH said to get three! (Is it better to have 3, or to keep them in pairs? I have a LARGE homemade chin cage, so space is not an issue)

We can have a mother/daughter set, or sibilings (all female, obviously). Which would be better? I am concerned with getting a mother that she would be protective and not let us "bond" with them...

If we take a mother/daughters set, we can take them anytime. If we want sibs, we have to wait til next week until they're all fully weened.

Thanks!

RodentzRule · #2 04-21-2009, 10:51 AM

I think you should take the mother daughter set. Dont worry about not being able to bond with them, they will be fine with it, it would work better if you played with them both at the same time but, yes, you can give them an alone time with you too. You could have the just siblings set but I would think there would be more fighting as they get older if they are the same age. They are social animals and would do better in a group of 3 but pairs are absolutely fine too, it depends on how big the cage is, can you post pics (thumbnail)? Good luck when you get them

brandy_m · #3 04-21-2009, 02:37 PM

Thanks!

I'm going to look/pick them up either tonight or Thursday. (I work tomorrow night)

I can't wait.

When I get the cage cleaned up, I'll post a picture...that's on my list to do now.

Amethystbelle · #4 04-21-2009, 04:00 PM

In my opinion it makes no difference whatsoever go for the group you think best. Both groups will take time to settle in and come out their shells although younger degus will bond quicker then older ones. I would go for 3 personally as after having a couple of groups there is a lot more interaction then just having a pair

Kendalle · #5 04-22-2009, 01:37 AM

id get another cage and get all 16

hehe, either would be good, you could get a mom and 2 kids if you wish. best of both worlds.

brandy_m · #6 04-22-2009, 01:03 PM

hee hee..that would *not* go over so well!

Kendalle · #7 04-22-2009, 02:10 PM

aw why 3 is kind of close to 16 + new cage

emmzie87 · #8 05-07-2009, 01:53 PM

i agree with Kendalle, id take the lot, the more the merrier,its better than any soap opera watching all my girls..just got them a ferret nation cage, best cage in the world...