Keeping Hatchlings Outdoors?

baldegale

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hi! so im pretty familiar with redfoots and am very hands on with hatchlings quite frequently through work. however i now have one of my own, a disabled one at that. its about a few weeks old, its been eating fine (ive been the one taking care of it). i just brought it home with me today, weve learned with the hundreds of babies we get a year they tend to eat better and grow better by themselves for the first few months in tubs, which i have noticed myself and am doing (once again, nothing wrong with that set up) however i am struggling to get proper temps, i have a closed chamber available if need be, however i live in florida, i was wondering if i could keep it outside (with proper protection) to get the best natural temps and humidities goin. i dont see why i couldnt, but figured id ask people with potentially more experience than i.
 

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baldegale

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i should add, i have it at proper temps, just not most ideal set up lol hence why im looking for ideas. also i have humidity and all that covered, no worries.
 

method89

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i should add, i have it at proper temps, just not most ideal set up lol hence why im looking for ideas. also i have humidity and all that covered, no worries.
I say this with respect. Are you sure you have temps and humidity covered?
 

baldegale

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I say this with respect. Are you sure you have temps and humidity covered?
yes, i have it at 80-85° ambient and it can get closer to the CHE if it wants more warmth. and it has its choice of humidity as one side is dry (ambient humidity is 60% anyways) and then the other side is moist sphagnum moss that it can burrow into.
 

Srmcclure

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I would do the closed chamber. I know you have higher humidity in Florida, but the chamber guarantees it stays in range at all times just to be safe. My readfoot has cypress mulch and I add water to the corners when needed to keep humidity at about 90% while keeping the top dry to help prevent shell rot/fungus. Ambient is 84. I don't use sphagnum moss because of risk of impaction. It makes me nervous plus I find i don't need it.
The 2 great people tagged above gave me some of those tips ? they will come soon and tell all kinds of great things!20200621_090852.jpg
 

Tom

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hi! so im pretty familiar with redfoots and am very hands on with hatchlings quite frequently through work. however i now have one of my own, a disabled one at that. its about a few weeks old, its been eating fine (ive been the one taking care of it). i just brought it home with me today, weve learned with the hundreds of babies we get a year they tend to eat better and grow better by themselves for the first few months in tubs, which i have noticed myself and am doing (once again, nothing wrong with that set up) however i am struggling to get proper temps, i have a closed chamber available if need be, however i live in florida, i was wondering if i could keep it outside (with proper protection) to get the best natural temps and humidities goin. i dont see why i couldnt, but figured id ask people with potentially more experience than i.
Outside all day is bad for babies. They do much better in the stable controlled conditions of an indoor closed chamber.
 

Toddrickfl1

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Personally I would do at least a year in a closed chamber to make sure you've got good humidity. After a year if growth is still good then move outside. Your temperature is good just try to get your humidity to at least 80% thru out the whole enclosure.
 

ZEROPILOT

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I keep my Redfoot outdoors as soon as they are eating well and are very mobile.
I'm in south Florida and I do not have a predator problem, etc. So this is certainly not a ONE SIZE FITS ALL answer.
My closed chamber is currently a 20 gallon aquarium with a lid. And an old T8 UVB. No heater needed. Not ideal for long term care.
I only keep babies in there briefly while I determine if they are eating and drinking well.
Then I transfer them to a much larger, but still small outdoor patio enclosure that was once a kiddie pool.
Mulch, water dish and ground cover. Just like my primary pen.
(This is also where I quarantine new tortoises that are larger)
Once they have shown me that they are sturdy enough and healthy enough, they go out into my primary pen.
Two of the residents went out there at 4-5 months.
One of the others was actually hatched out there, went unnoticed until she was several months old, and is doing great.
My oldest Redfoot has lived out there since I rescued him from the Flea market. Tiny, eating Iceberg lettuce and living on pine shavings.
IF (and it's a big if) your situation is the same as mine...South Florida....Suburbs...No predators....And outdoor enclosure that is well planted and has water sprinklers.
I say yes. You can release babies into your outdoors pens while still very young. (3 months plus)
But this would be irresponsible and not well advised for others.
Where are you in Florida?
And can I assist you in any way?
 
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