Goldie & Shelly's New Home

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Badger

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Hello Everyone!

Well, after weeks of delay, we finally moved Goldie and Shelly to their new place today! We had to wait till now as the seed mix that we sowed refused to germinate and flourish (I am probably the only person on the planet that have trouble growing weeds!). Any case, we moved them during the weekend and we are glad to report they appeared to have settled down at their new home, though understandably appears a bit nervous still. They didn't eat last night after the move though tonight their usual appetite appeared to have returned.

The pen isn't very big, probably only about 15x10 ft and their house is only 6x9. We will have to put some more decorations and fixtures in the pen over time, but we figured better to let them get acclimatized to the outside world first. I am sure before long, we will have to think about their next expansion project! So far, they have shown very little interest at any of the green shoots, which is just as well, give them a chance to grow I hope!

Anyway, enough talk. Pictures.

1) The new house
2) The pen
3) Goldie giving me the "Are we there yet?" look during transit
4) Goldie
5) Shelly
6) The Tunnel
 

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wellington

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Looks pretty good. I would However be worried about all those little stones. What is the tunnel to?
 

Badger

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RE: Goldie & Shelly's New Home

I am from Hong Kong.

Thanks for highlighting the stones.. this was the only soil i found here with nothing added . At the gardening centre here, even the organic stuff is fertilized. let me see what i can do, so far they seem to have little interest venturing outside or the green weeds, hopefully wont start munching on the sandy soil. Last thing they need is another round of impaction!!

Oh the tunnel... the connects the pen to their house...
 

wellington

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If they do start to find interest in the stones, can you get coconut coir there? You could put that over it. Things will still grow and can be planted in it. You could also cover it with sod. I hope they just leave it alone. Yes, you don't need to go through any of that again:)
 

Badger

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RE: Goldie & Shelly's New Home

Thanks for your helpful advice (as always!). On coir, i spoke to my vet at length about this (he was a tortoise specialist), he told me that he wasnt keen on coir as it could lead to impaction as well. That is why i dont use it anymore. Any thoughts on that? I know many people use it with good effect, but you know me... anything that can potentially lead to impaction sends me running!

Sod it is. :)
 

wellington

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I have only seen on this forum and on some advertising for it, that it doesn't cause impaction. I have used it almost since I got my Leopard Tatum over a year ago. He was a hatchling at the time. I have never had a problem with him. I even planted weeds, etc last winter in it for him to graze on and still never a problem. My personal opinion, other then plain sod, I feel it is the safest. It doesn't mold, holds humidity/moisture really good and plants/grass/etc can be grown in it also. I would use it. I would be way more worried about the stones. Can you get rolls of sod? Lay that down if you don't want to try the coir. I think you will be safe with either one. Unless, the coir you can get over there isn't like the very fine saw dust like coir I can get, hmmm.
 

tyler0912

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I use coir, Great stuff and seeds grow that i didnt plant.....pepper seeds fallling from theer food..etc..
 

Badger

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I will give the coir a try then. Thanks!!

Btw, I read some of your others posts before, on IR radiated panels for heating during winter. How did that work out for you?

wellington said:
I have only seen on this forum and on some advertising for it, that it doesn't cause impaction. I have used it almost since I got my Leopard Tatum over a year ago. He was a hatchling at the time. I have never had a problem with him. I even planted weeds, etc last winter in it for him to graze on and still never a problem. My personal opinion, other then plain sod, I feel it is the safest. It doesn't mold, holds humidity/moisture really good and plants/grass/etc can be grown in it also. I would use it. I would be way more worried about the stones. Can you get rolls of sod? Lay that down if you don't want to try the coir. I think you will be safe with either one. Unless, the coir you can get over there isn't like the very fine saw dust like coir I can get, hmmm.
 

wellington

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My leopard is too small yet to house outside. I am still in the gathering info stage. Lots of info. I am a plan ahead type, yes, lots of times plan way ahead type person. Also, collecting some of the stuff I will need for when the time comes. I have a couple more years yet or so. However, I should be well prepared:D. I will probably try out the pop up green house I bought, this winter, but I think I will just heat it for now with a heat bulb and a heated small tort house. Thanks for asking though. I will be sure to post how things work if I try it out this winter.
I think you will be happy with the coir.
 

Badger

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RE: Goldie & Shelly's New Home

Pop up green houses? Like the ones where its a frame wrapped by pvc sheet? Thats a good idea! Can remove once winter is over as well. Though when they get big, will they be able to just ram straight through the sheeting?
 

wellington

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Ha, I will be lining the inside bottom of the sides with wood that will be on hinges, so it can be folded and stored for summer. Plus it will help it from blowing away. I will also be using PVC pipe to give more support to the roof. Not getting out on me:p:D
 

Badger

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RE: Goldie & Shelly's New Home

Its been a week since the kids have been move to an outdoor environment. Shelly appears to br handling it well, she will venture out of the hut and go roam around the outdoor pen munching on grass. Goldie however is not so keen. In fact he rarely volunteerily walk out of the hut himself. When we do carry him out, he will stay for five mins and then make a dash back to the comfort of his hut. Even while sunbathing, he will prefer to sit at the threshold of the doorway keeping himself mostly inside. Quite ingenious really. Anyone had a tortoise that prefers the comforts of their in door homes than venture outside with fresh air and grass. The weather is warm around 85 to 90, but even after the sun has past and ita no longer blisteringly hot, Goldie still prefers indoors. Just a matter of adjustment or sometimes they just prefer being indoors the whole time?
 
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