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- Feb 21, 2010
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Here is a walk thru on the construction of the "Redfoot" House @ The Cove'
Now here is a “permanent” tortoise structure/house.
This building is 8x14x8. Built like real housing with 2x4 walls, 5/8 exterior T-11 siding and ply-ceiling… along with 1” Marine Plywood for the floors and thermo- foam underlayment. Including and thought out placement while in design, are 3 large 48” Doors massive hinges and locks, Skylight and operating window. The interior walls themselves are insulated with R-13 insulation and 5/8 OSB board. On the ceiling an additional ½” foil-backed (the one you see a lot on here – but has poor insulating factors) is used foil side exposed to radiate heat down back to the floor area The building itself sits off the ground on 8”Aluminum floor joist (which allows for any under building add on’s with ease in the future Ex; Plumbing/Electrical. On the inside the floor area was divided into two parts to keep from cross breeding (one for the Hypos and One for the Cherries). There is also an elevated enclosure about 5 feet up on the back wall- 2x8 within this set-up for quarantined/sick animals – to keep them away from the rest of the herd. The interior floors and walls (4 feet up) were wrapped with 40lb roofing felt to help aid with moisture problems. On top of this on the floor bottom were large tarps place –this helps considerably when doing a clean/change out of medium. Underground 4 large approx. 3x5 Kane mats to keep things warm….with heat rising naturally to the top. These are placed under smaller “hides” within the building itself. There is also added lights with vary sources of lights and heats that are used when need be and weather determines. Also overhead fluorescent lighting for the “human” occupants when in there. Medium consists of organic soil and green moss. The “hut” acts both as a refuge if they wasn’t during the day and night box but also a “nesting area” as there is grade of 18” depth of soil in some of the areas of the hut (the torts nest in there all the time). Fire alarms, Security and Thermostat/ Temp readings are all viewed/controlled and stored on a Hard drive which can be controlled from the main house.
"I've built as many as I have tore down"
Now here is a “permanent” tortoise structure/house.
This building is 8x14x8. Built like real housing with 2x4 walls, 5/8 exterior T-11 siding and ply-ceiling… along with 1” Marine Plywood for the floors and thermo- foam underlayment. Including and thought out placement while in design, are 3 large 48” Doors massive hinges and locks, Skylight and operating window. The interior walls themselves are insulated with R-13 insulation and 5/8 OSB board. On the ceiling an additional ½” foil-backed (the one you see a lot on here – but has poor insulating factors) is used foil side exposed to radiate heat down back to the floor area The building itself sits off the ground on 8”Aluminum floor joist (which allows for any under building add on’s with ease in the future Ex; Plumbing/Electrical. On the inside the floor area was divided into two parts to keep from cross breeding (one for the Hypos and One for the Cherries). There is also an elevated enclosure about 5 feet up on the back wall- 2x8 within this set-up for quarantined/sick animals – to keep them away from the rest of the herd. The interior floors and walls (4 feet up) were wrapped with 40lb roofing felt to help aid with moisture problems. On top of this on the floor bottom were large tarps place –this helps considerably when doing a clean/change out of medium. Underground 4 large approx. 3x5 Kane mats to keep things warm….with heat rising naturally to the top. These are placed under smaller “hides” within the building itself. There is also added lights with vary sources of lights and heats that are used when need be and weather determines. Also overhead fluorescent lighting for the “human” occupants when in there. Medium consists of organic soil and green moss. The “hut” acts both as a refuge if they wasn’t during the day and night box but also a “nesting area” as there is grade of 18” depth of soil in some of the areas of the hut (the torts nest in there all the time). Fire alarms, Security and Thermostat/ Temp readings are all viewed/controlled and stored on a Hard drive which can be controlled from the main house.
"I've built as many as I have tore down"
