I would love input on an outdoor sulcata shelter!

Rocco's family

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Sep 21, 2021
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Hi, I'm new to the forum and was wondering if anyone might give some input on an outdoor sulcata house. We adopted ours a while back and have kept him indoors at night and in bad weather, but he is now 33 pounds and has outgrown his tub! It's time to build a home.

I know the house needs to be insulated and have a door that can close, that it should be elevated in case of rain, and that he needs heat and UV light for cold/rainy days (thankfully we don't get many, even in winter). My dad is a carpenter and will build the house. I think it will be around 4 feet high and maybe 4x6 feet. Is this enough space?

I have ordered a pig blanket, but I'm not sure what type of UV lights to buy or the best way to hang them, or what kind of heat lamp to get. I'm a little concerned about fire safety since it will be a wood house- any thoughts on that?

He currently has coconut fiber substrate in his tub, but I was thinking of putting Timothy hay in the outdoor home- is this good, or is there a better bedding?

Is there anything else I'm missing? I want to do the best we can to keep him healthy and happy, and this seems like a good group of people to ask advice from : )
Thanks!!
 

Tom

The Dog Trainer
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Here ya' go:
 

Rocco's family

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Here ya' go:
Thank you so much!! This is super helpful!
 

2Bamboo

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Nov 27, 2021
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SEBASTOPOL
Hi, I'm new to the forum and was wondering if anyone might give some input on an outdoor sulcata house. We adopted ours a while back and have kept him indoors at night and in bad weather, but he is now 33 pounds and has outgrown his tub! It's time to build a home.

I know the house needs to be insulated and have a door that can close, that it should be elevated in case of rain, and that he needs heat and UV light for cold/rainy days (thankfully we don't get many, even in winter). My dad is a carpenter and will build the house. I think it will be around 4 feet high and maybe 4x6 feet. Is this enough space?

I have ordered a pig blanket, but I'm not sure what type of UV lights to buy or the best way to hang them, or what kind of heat lamp to get. I'm a little concerned about fire safety since it will be a wood house- any thoughts on that?

He currently has coconut fiber substrate in his tub, but I was thinking of putting Timothy hay in the outdoor home- is this good, or is there a better bedding?

Is there anything else I'm missing? I want to do the best we can to keep him healthy and happy, and this seems like a good group of people to ask advice from : )
Thanks!!
Hi. Our 80 pound Sulcata needed a bigger house. I found a builder on Etsy. Mike at BC Fabrications was very receptive to our needs and specifications. The house is fabulous complete with all the wiring for heating and a lift up roof for cleaning. We had ours made with metal siding of which she has already started peeling up so solid wood would probably be best.
 

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Rocco's family

New Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2021
Messages
19
Location (City and/or State)
California
Hi. Our 80 pound Sulcata needed a bigger house. I found a builder on Etsy. Mike at BC Fabrications was very receptive to our needs and specifications. The house is fabulous complete with all the wiring for heating and a lift up roof for cleaning. We had ours made with metal siding of which she has already started peeling up so solid wood would probably be best.
Thank you!
 

Jan A

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2021
Messages
1,813
Location (City and/or State)
Boulder, CO
Hi. Our 80 pound Sulcata needed a bigger house. I found a builder on Etsy. Mike at BC Fabrications was very receptive to our needs and specifications. The house is fabulous complete with all the wiring for heating and a lift up roof for cleaning. We had ours made with metal siding of which she has already started peeling up so solid wood would probably be best.
Not to side-track the topic, but what a great smile on that face!!

Welcome to the forum, Rocco & 2Bamboo!!
 

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