Outdoor enclosure for Slash

StuMac

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 18, 2013
Messages
294
Whilst away at work I had thoughts of creating an outdoor enclosure for Slash. Had a rough idea in my head, got to work this morning, and in a couple of hours here is what I had created. Got some ornaments to add to it, will add some bushes soon.
Before :

ImageUploadedByTortForum1399036100.898860.jpg

After:

ImageUploadedByTortForum1399036118.451627.jpg
 

Jacqui

Wanna be raiser of Lemon Drop tortoises
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
39,941
Location (City and/or State)
A Land Far Away...
I am guessing the hide logs are all nailed together? My old eyes are missing where the water source is located. Looking good so far and will look even better when you get it all planted up! Even looks like perhaps you could extend it out a little more.
 

StuMac

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 18, 2013
Messages
294
Thanks guys. It's roughly 4 feet by 10 feet. Plenty space to roam about. After I took this I buried a water dish in the middle. And added some little garden gnome ornaments I found in a pound store. Also added a food saucer and will be planting a couple of bushes to break up the lines of sight for him. The fence is nice and high too so no danger of him climbing out. Just need to keep my 2 year old out now!

Oh yeah, I forgot to add that the logs are nailed together. Got them in a nearby forest after they had been trimmed from a tree. So I nailed them together to make that log cabin. It's his indoor hide that he sleeps in most nights.
 

StuMac

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 18, 2013
Messages
294
Here it is with food/water dish. Just need shrubs now. ImageUploadedByTortForum1399047985.520248.jpg
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,390
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
Had to laugh...here in the States we have what we call Dollar Stores where nothing costs more than a dollar. Never occurred to me that you would also have such a store. You can find some pretty good bargains there occasionally.

Nice job on the habitat.
 

StuMac

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 18, 2013
Messages
294
Thanks. Yeah the high streets in Britain are flooded with discount stores. 99p Shop, Poundland, PoundWorld etc. they are replacing stores like Virgin and HMV.

I be picking up some all-weather shrubs this weekend and making the habitat more inviting. As long as the weather stays nice. I hate being cooped up indoors.
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
TFO Admin
10 Year Member!
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Jan 23, 2008
Messages
93,390
Location (City and/or State)
Clovis, CA
I know what you mean. I moved here 16 years ago and was busy daily building pens, planting, mowing, etc. Once I had everything finished and the way I wanted it, I'm at loose ends. (and getting lazy)
 

StuMac

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 18, 2013
Messages
294
If I'm not pottering about in garden, I'm playing football(soccer) or cycling. I work on a boat, nightshift chef, so am indoors for 2 weeks with very little daylight. I make the most of being outdoors when I can. I took Slash in for the evening as it's getting cool. This is how I found him! ImageUploadedByTortForum1399053317.183368.jpg

I may even source some large pipes and build him an underground lair too! Like Dr Evil from Austin Powers.
 

Jacqui

Wanna be raiser of Lemon Drop tortoises
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
39,941
Location (City and/or State)
A Land Far Away...
Had to laugh...here in the States we have what we call Dollar Stores where nothing costs more than a dollar. Never occurred to me that you would also have such a store. You can find some pretty good bargains there occasionally.

Nice job on the habitat.

I had a chuckle over that, too. I just never had dreamed of them having a "pound" store. :)
 

Jacqui

Wanna be raiser of Lemon Drop tortoises
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
39,941
Location (City and/or State)
A Land Far Away...
I know what you mean. I moved here 16 years ago and was busy daily building pens, planting, mowing, etc. Once I had everything finished and the way I wanted it, I'm at loose ends. (and getting lazy)


FINISHED???? I didn't think there was ever such a thing in the tortoise enclosure world. :eek:
 

StuMac

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 18, 2013
Messages
294
I had a chuckle over that, too. I just never had dreamed of them having a "pound" store. :)

Really? Serious question, did you guys honestly not know about pound shops? In Union Street, Aberdeen's main Street, there are 2 pound shops right across the street from each other. The recession hit really hard and these shops popped up almost daily. Great for getting cheap garden nick nacks and equipment though!
 

bouaboua

Well-Known Member
10 Year Member!
Tortoise Club
Platinum Tortoise Club
Joined
Dec 7, 2013
Messages
11,809
Location (City and/or State)
San Jose CA
Very nicely done. That is one happy torts. I like it.
 

Jacqui

Wanna be raiser of Lemon Drop tortoises
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
39,941
Location (City and/or State)
A Land Far Away...
Really? Serious question, did you guys honestly not know about pound shops? In Union Street, Aberdeen's main Street, there are 2 pound shops right across the street from each other. The recession hit really hard and these shops popped up almost daily. Great for getting cheap garden nick nacks and equipment though!

Seriously never knew. One of the neat things in here is how folks from another country will say something and it will be like a light bulb going off (or a kick yourself in the seat of the pants :rolleyes:). It's the little things that change the way you look at the world and think about it. Helps to be able to give better advise, because sometimes we forget just because something is done one way in the USA, does not mean that is how it is every where.
 

StuMac

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 18, 2013
Messages
294
Very true. One of the most prominent stores here is called Home Bargains. As the name suggests, it sells everything from toilet roll to gardening things VERY cheap. I practically live there some weeks! That's where I get gimmicks for tortoise enclosure. Wish we had the bargains you guys have in the states though. Hearing about Home Depot or Lowes, with the really good prices for Rubbermaid tubs etc....our DIY stores can be pricey for this items. So that's why a lot of us turn to making our own enclosures. Works out much cheaper.
 

Jacqui

Wanna be raiser of Lemon Drop tortoises
Moderator
10 Year Member!
Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
39,941
Location (City and/or State)
A Land Far Away...
I have to admit, I do love our Home Depot, Lowes, Menards and even WalMart. Of course nothing beats finding something in the trash pile you can repurpose. :) I love seeing the inventive things folks do and even often steal ...ummm borrow.... their ideas. :rolleyes: We have some very clever and talented folks in here.
 

StuMac

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 18, 2013
Messages
294
Borrow...steal....it's all good! I will be checking the local forest for shrubs to "relocate" them once I get them checked on the tort table register. A couple of ever green-style plants. And a couple of Hibiscus bushes. Not sure how good they would be in the cold weather we have here in Scotland though.
 

hunterk997

Member
10 Year Member!
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
897
Location (City and/or State)
Wayland, NY
How did you remove the grass so quickly? I will be doing an outdoor enclosure and that could really shorten the amount of time it takes to make it. Thanks.
 

StuMac

Active Member
5 Year Member
Joined
May 18, 2013
Messages
294
Sorry, just noticed your reply. I dug squares with a large shovel then carefully slid the shovel under to skim a sheet of grass. Then I just moved them to where I wanted them. Gave them a good water and they have bedded in really well. Went for a cycle to a forest nearby today and "borrowed" some heather and fresh moss. There were literally acres of the stuff, and all growing in large, unfertilised areas. It was like heaven to collect it. Had limited space so will have to go back for more later, but here is what I've done so far:

ImageUploadedByTortoise Forum1399372839.753897.jpg
 
Top