Out door Tort pen

DeesBalls · 05-21-12, 11:27 AM

starting my outdoor tort pen, right now it is just 3x6 foot, right next by my porch. eventually i will have a biger one, for now, this is what i got.

i am curious, i see alot of ants/beetles, and stuf in the ground...

are they ok?, should i do something else? im worred that they will hurt/kill my tort..

also can i use pine wood for the sides? i know its not good for snakes, but not sure about this....

right now im eating lunch, so fast replys would be ammmaaaazzzinnng!!!

StudentoReptile · 05-21-12, 11:39 AM

As long as no one in your area sprays for pesticides, I wouldn't worry about beetles and most other insects.

Ants can be a problem if you let them get out of control. I recently posted a thread asking for suggestions to keep them at bay. A couple environmentally safe ways is pouring boiling water on all ant hills, and using diatomaceous earth (spelling?).

Being that the enclosure is outdoors, I don't think using pine wood for the walls/barriers should be an issue. The main issue with captive reptiles is when pine shavings are used as substrate; the animal spend most of its time on the cage floor, inhaling the fumes from the wood shavings. As you are not using shavings at all, you're just using the wood for building the walls, I don't see this being a problem.

Hows that for fast?!

DeesBalls · 05-21-12, 11:42 AM

ok thanks, for quick ness... as for the "substrate" i dug up all the grass/ground and im going to put all my tortoise seeds/grass seeds in. put potting soil down, and then some hay on it to get it growing.... so eventually it will be all "tortoise grazing mix" taht i got from carolina pet supply... and potting soil.

the walls will be pine and not too sure what to do with the top to keep the coons/cats out...

buffcoat · 05-21-12, 12:02 PM

Could you use the 1/4" chicken wire for the top? I have no idea, Im just tossing something out there.

DeesBalls · 05-21-12, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buffcoat

Could you use the 1/4" chicken wire for the top? I have no idea, Im just tossing something out there.

that is probably what im going to do... use some like skinny wood posts things to make a frame so i can easily take it off....

StudentoReptile · 05-21-12, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeEuGi

that is probably what im going to do... use some like skinny wood posts things to make a frame so i can easily take it off....

Yeah, it doesn't even have to be anything elaborate or even with hinges. You're basically just making a jumbo-size screened top for your pen.

DeesBalls · 05-21-12, 02:03 PM

i was basically going to copy the look of a aquarium lid... just fit it over and make or put a lock on it.

DeesBalls · 05-22-12, 10:05 PM

well, im annoyed....

i built my pen totally in the shade

lol it gets no sun! so.... ill bemoving it to the front of my back porch. so that way it will get shade in the AM and none in the PM.

oh well, atleast i can move it!

alessia55 · 05-22-12, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeEuGi

well, im annoyed....

i built my pen totally in the shade

lol it gets no sun! so.... ill bemoving it to the front of my back porch. so that way it will get shade in the AM and none in the PM.

oh well, atleast i can move it!

Hopefully it's not too heavy!! And post pics when you're done

DeesBalls · 05-22-12, 10:38 PM

Its not. Lol right noe it is just 2 6x1 and 2 3x1 screwed together for the frame.... ill post pics tomorrow

DeesBalls · 05-23-12, 05:57 PM

so come to find out.... the pen is fine where it is!! dont need to move it!!

pics up later

alessia55 · 05-23-12, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeEuGi

so come to find out.... the pen is fine where it is!! dont need to move it!!

pics up later

So it gets sun? Awesome! Looking forward to those pics. And we need updated pics of the tort too.

DeesBalls · 05-23-12, 06:48 PM

lol yes, i just didnt notice it since i was at work all day yesterday, and when i got home, it was over cast-y..

pics up soon (just a start)

DeesBalls · 05-24-12, 11:03 AM

here are pics!

DeesBalls · 05-24-12, 11:06 AM

just some for fun!!

***As you can see, i dug up the ground... picked out all the dirt.grass/worms lol and then i put the frame up, i put a TON of seeds down then covered it up with potting soil(currently the same substrate) and then wet-ed it down... the covering is very cheap and looks like crap, but serves its purpose!

of course i will be adding more stuff to it, hides water dish ect... and the middle front of the mesh can be bent back to get it, it is all held down by like 8 screws, so i can easily get in and water/feed and all that...** hope it fits up to everyones standards... i am very happy with it.