Progress! And Many Thanks!

[JennBell0725]

A big thank you to Tom and all the others for your guidance! Our outdoor enclosure is almost complete! The hatchlings are enjoying it as I type this!

 

[Tom]

Very cool. I would expect those little guys to find a soft spot and dig in right where the ties meet the ground. They won't go deep, but if you "lose" one, that is where I'd look first.

 

[JennBell0725]

Thats what they are doing. Lol. Just out for some sun though. Im in and out right now. Just finished installing the heater and thermostat. Just need to get some hay to put in there for him to snuggle in. They have been grazing up a storm though lol.

 

[JennBell0725]

He is here! Just letting him settle in. Picture of my battle wounds. Note to anyone using railroad ties. Get lots of help.

 

[BeeBee*BeeLeaves]

Oh nooo battle wounds. What we do for our little big tortoises! Looks great. Lotsa room for exercise and grazing and tortoise fun days. Your little helper is darling! Yay! : )

 

[JennBell0725]

He is settling in! Showed him his house and he climbed right in and checked it out then came back out. He even let my 4 year old hand feed him. When he was still being shy I put a rose in there for him. I looked away for a second and it was gone lol. He just looked at me like what???? Haha.

 

[Levi the Leopard]

Niiice! The railroad ties have become my new favorite. I don't use them for my pens now but if/when I re-do them, that's what I want to use! Looks great

How steep is the night box door? A less steep ramp might be easier for him. I just built the same box and had to add an extra ramp when the door is down so they can get in easier.

 

[JennBell0725]

It is a bit steep so I might modify it but he doesnt have any issues. We screwed paint stirrers to it for traction lol

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Oh and just a tip I got those ties for 4 bucks a peice at a recycling facility were they chip them up and sell them for use as fuel.

 

[Levi the Leopard]

$4 a piece! Sweet deal.

 

[Jacqui]

I always thought that railroad ties were treated and as such were not a good idea even to use outside?

I think for some of us, the quality and success of the enclosure is based on how many battle scars and how much blood we shed in the process. I just enjoy so much seeing tortoises outside.

 

[JennBell0725]

In that case I was vastly success full. I have strained muscles, tons of bruises, a bloody foot, and a smashed hand lol. Oh and an empty bank haha

 

[JennBell0725]

Box is working out great. We had a cold front last night qnd its toasty warm. He is even sleeping on the cooler side.

 

[TigsMom]

Great job! Got a giggle when I saw the hatchling in that pen, they do grow fast, but that fast? hahaha Your little helper is adorable! I can just picture her thinking, I can't wait for the Sand box he builds ME!

 

[JennBell0725]

Haha no sandboxes for us we have cats. Lol. My husband isnt super handy though lol. He is the mechanic in the family and good with that. But as far as construction type things he is just the muscle lol.

 

[Jacqui]

Glad everything is working out and being enjoyed. Just one question... are you already planning out in your head the next enclosure with those "how I will do it differently next time" thoguhts?

 

[JennBell0725]

Oddly enough that is why we chose the railroad ties. In about 5 months we are moving and we are going to have move them again. Im not looking forward to it. Next time im going to borrow my uncles tractor lol. This time it was me and my husband moving each one of these by hand. It sucked. I would estimate these are around 200lbs each if not more.

 

[JennBell0725]

Wooohooo. Littlefoot's vinyl for his door came in. Now his house will stay warm even if his door is open! Easy peasy to install too!

 

[AZtortMom]

Great job! [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH AND SMILING EYES]