COLD DARK ROOM

[Lyn W]

This is just his protective night cage so foxes ect don't get him at night, during the day he has the run of a 120ft garden; I could move the Hutch over some soil and so it faces the morning sun, that way he could dig and have early heat. I'm also considering having a small tube heater in there but am worried about fire and powering it. Also, if I had soil there, wouldn't it get waterlogged?

If it is just for night then that it should be OK where it is but I would say that you need to raise it so that the floor doesn't get wet or he could get ill.
A che on a thermostat would keep temps even in the covered end but as I can't see a door on it I would probably cover the open side with something to keep draughts out - as well as the rain. Maybe use a plastic sheet - have a look at the enclosures thread to look for ideas. There are far better options available.

 

[JoesMum]

This is just his protective night cage so foxes ect don't get him at night, during the day he has the run of a 120ft garden; I could move the Hutch over some soil and so it faces the morning sun, that way he could dig and have early heat. I'm also considering having a small tube heater in there but am worried about fire and powering it. Also, if I had soil there, wouldn't it get waterlogged?

Ah, I have read this now.

Put this on a flower bed where any rain can soak away. Put it somewhere that gets sun first thing in the morning. Can you get some perspex to close it in and create a "cold frame"?

Read this: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/outdoor-accommodation-in-a-colder-uk-climate.140866/

 

[Lyn W]

Ah, I have read this now.

Put this on a flower bed where any rain can soak away. Put it somewhere that gets sun first thing in the morning.

Read this: https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/outdoor-accommodation-in-a-colder-uk-climate.140866/

He has a wooden floor but it gets wet in the rain - which is not good at all.
I agree with you Linda he needs a proper enclosure if his tort is thrive.
One of Tom's night boxes would be much better!

 

[rjamesbeasley]

Ok this is great, thanks, I know that if I am to enjoy this pet that he must also enjoy being one, and health issues are not fair on him and unpleasant for me. If I were to dig a hole in the enclosed bit and fill it with bark would this be better than soil, the outdoorsy bit will definitely get some weeds on it and maybe a cold frame on the side would be ideal as it would keep heat in and stay dry. I'll also see to it that a small hear tube is installed so that on groggy days he is warm, prehape in the cold frame.

 

[JoesMum]

@rjamesbeasley if you can get that cage on bare earth in a morning sun spot, knock the wooden floor out of it and put perspex panes over the mesh then you will have a great cold frame.

This thread that I linked to before is about adaptations we made to keep Joe outside as much as possible. Please read it as it covers most things. https://tortoiseforum.org/threads/outdoor-accommodation-in-a-colder-uk-climate.140866/


We do have foxes in the garden and they never bothered Joe. When he was small a dog picked him up once and walked off with him (long before I took charge of JoesDad and Joe), but that is the only predator problem we have ever had.

 

[rjamesbeasley]

Forgive the crudity of the sketch but what do you guys think about these improvements, I would add a cold frame to the side and fit a small heater at one end as a rainy day shelter; the existing structure would be moved towards a flower bed or over some grass and the bedding area would be excavated and filled with a dry substrate. Should I put plastic sheeting down in the hole to prevent it from becoming a well if water seeped from the surrounding soil?

 

[JoesMum]

Forgive the crudity of the sketch but what do you guys think about these improvements, I would add a cold frame to the side and fit a small heater at one end as a rainy day shelter; the existing structure would be moved towards a flower bed or over some grass and the bedding area would be excavated and filled with a dry substrate. Should I put plastic sheeting down in the hole to prevent it from becoming a well if water seeped from the surrounding soil?View attachment 246743

A small heater will provide background warmth, but not the basking that your tort needs. It is unlikely to get warmth up to activity levels as you cannot easily insulate the structure sufficiently. The best it will do is take the edge off the cold.

Lining with polythene will create a bucket that fills with water. If you pick you site well, the earthy spot will stay dry enough. Joes cold frame (se that thread) was sheltered by trees and a fence and is in an area that never gets particularly wet.

This is why I went down the dog kennel and basking lamp route. The basking lamp gave Joe the jump start he needed on chillier mornings. If it was too cold for him to stay out at night, I'd grab him and stick him in a cardboard box indoors overnight. A dry garage or shed would be fine. You just have to be up early enough to get him out and warmed up for th day ahead.

 

[rjamesbeasley]

A small heater will provide background warmth, but not the basking that your tort needs. It is unlikely to get warmth up to activity levels as you cannot easily insulate the structure sufficiently. The best it will do is take the edge off the cold.

Lining with polythene will create a bucket that fills with water. If you pick you site well, the earthy spot will stay dry enough. Joes cold frame (se that thread) was sheltered by trees and a fence and is in an area that never gets particularly wet.

This is why I went down the dog kennel and basking lamp route. The basking lamp gave Joe the jump start he needed on chillier mornings. If it was too cold for him to stay out at night, I'd grab him and stick him in a cardboard box indoors overnight. A dry garage or shed would be fine. You just have to be up early enough to get him out and warmed up for th day ahead.

Ok, thank you all very much [emoji4]

 

[rjamesbeasley]

If I put some perspex over the caged bit and placed the bed over soil, would I need a substrate for bedding?

 

[JoesMum]

If I put some perspex over the caged bit and placed the bed over soil, would I need a substrate for bedding?

You shouldn't need additional substrate. Just dig the soil over so it is loose.

 

[Moozillion]

And then you’d require medical services of a sturgeon...

I saw that!

 

[Moozillion]

I know. They’re kraken me up!

I saw that, too!

 

[Moozillion]

Can anyone mussel in on the punning action?

I saw that!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Have to fetch two girls from school, so hope to catch up later

A random two girls?
Isn't that illegal in Denmark?

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Linda tries to read all the posts

But I too am turning in for the night... I need an early night

Sweet dreams all

Adam reads every post.
Crikey!

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Mamaw (my mother's mom) has passed away this morning.
View attachment 235294
This is the last picture I have of her.
Any prayers for the family is appreciated.

I may not be on here for a few days. Just thought I'd let you all know why.

Love you all.

Sorry to hear this, Dan.
My heartfelt condolences.

 

[rjamesbeasley]

Sorry to hear this, Dan.
My heartfelt condolences.

I agree, how sad [emoji853]

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Another video

And the nest getting fluffy
View attachment 235404

Love all this blue t-it stuff !
Much better than last year's bachelor boy.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Daughter is out doing voluntary work with dormice today. They’re in torpor - sort of semi hibernation. The second one was curled up in an old bird’s nest.
View attachment 235415
View attachment 235414

Clearly eaten too much cheese and is sleeping it off.
The same happens to me.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Yesterday, when I took Jacques to the specialty vet, I brought Elsa too, for her first appointment and wellness check.

I was expecting lots of poop, so I put layers and layers of newspaper in a big plastic tub to take her there. I'm SO GLAD I did!!
She pooped on the way there, so the tech used that sample to check for parasites. (NO parasites!!! YAY!!!) She pooped again while we were waiting for the doctor, and I rolled up that paper and gave it to them to throw away eek: LAWDY, tortoise poop STINKS!!!! ). She pooped AGAIN as the doc was examining her; and the doc held her over the sink and ran warm water on her booty to stimulate her to finish pooping.
The doc examined Elsa and thought she looked really healthy and good! She was especially complimentary about Elsa's CARAPACE and said it looked really great! I attribute that to what I have learned on this forum!!!!
It was also interesting that the vet said they never see Hermann's tortoises! They see a lot of Russians, Greeks and Sulcatas but not Hermann's. When I told my hubby, he observed that those are the species sold most often in the pet stores!!! Makes sense!

I was dreading the 45 minute drive home, expecting to smell tortoise poop the whole way, but Elsa must have emptied her gut pretty well, because there was no more poop!

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy for Elsa!

Beautiful, healthy lovely girl!